SUMMERTOWN definitely does need a post office.

David Williams (Oxford Mail, August 24) does not appear to know that the last branch to close in Summertown did so, not because there was insufficient demand but because Martins sold their shop to Costa Coffee.

Previous closures were due to the Post Office reducing outlets under the Labour Government.

Since then people whose local post office this was, have had to travel into town where there are usually long queues, or drive to others which do not have a bus connection.

Mr Williams is fortunate in that he lives very close to the post office in Kendall Crescent.

The petition that he derides was assembled from responses to our newsletter, the vast majority coming from streets around Summertown centre.

A survey conducted by the Friends of Summertown Library in March showed that of the 965 people who responded, 725 put a post office as a key wish on a library site, with 553 saying they would use it frequently.

Mr Williams may not realise that it is the Liberal Democrat Post Office Minister, Edward Davey, who is spearheading investment in Post Office Ltd under the Coalition Government.

The Government is aiming to make the Post Office the Front Office for Government, providing more services and working jointly with local authorities to increase business and thus improve the viability of local branches.

I and my colleagues who represent the area will continue to press the case for Summertown to have a post office again.

JEAN FOOKS, Liberal Democrat councillor for Summertown,# St Bernard’s Road, Oxford