HIGHWORTH mayor Pam Adams launched a petition in the town centre yesterday to build opposition to the Post Office’s plans to move its branch to Swindon Road.

The post office operates out of Sheep Street in the town centre but is running at a loss and postmistress Karen Burdette needs to move the branch if it is to continue.

Post Office is running a consultation on its plans to move the outlet to the Budgens retailer, which will ultimately operate out of the petrol station a short distance south of The Fox roundabout.

Pam, of Brookfield in Highworth, wants to galvanise the community and respond to the consultation with strong opposition to the plans.

She said: “The Post Office has said if the public make a reasoned argument for having it in a different place, they will have to listen to that.

“We need to make sure the public is aware of the consultation and their need to answer it.

“We are concerned they want to put it on a main road, where there are no crossings to access it and it will be more than £100,000 to put in two crossings, as quoted by Swindon Council.”

Mark Dempsey, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for North Swindon, said: “We want to show the Post Office how concerned residents are. We want to meet with the Post Office and Co-op to find out why it must move out of the town centre.”

Send comments to Post Office Ltd by email to comments@postoffice. co.uk or call the customer helpline 08457 22 33 44 or textphone 08457 223355.

Customers can also share their views online at postofficeviews.co.uk with the branch code 446548.