A PETITION has been launched in a last ditch bid to save a delivery office from closure.

Royal Mail has revealed it wants to shut Lexden Heath delivery office in London Road, Stanway by September 6.

Residents say the closure will mean they will have to travel across Colchester to the nearest other delivery office at Eastgates.

Nine postmen operating from Stanway’s office will also have to travel back and forth for their rounds.

Stanway councillors Lesley Scott-Boutell and daughter Jessica launched the petition on Monday.

Lesley said: “It was flagged up to us by local people and it is a facility for Stanway people.

“Instead of the posties going locally, they have got to go to Eastgates.

“Everybody in Colchester knows the worst way to travel is from east to west.”

The office has been at its location for more than 40 years.

Lesley added: “It was a full blown post office.

“When you had all the tranches of Post Offices shutting, we lost it but it was still running as a sorting office and collection point and with Stanway expanding, it is one of those things that’s there and easy.

“We have now got to traipse down to Eastgates. It is going to drum up traffic and it is something local people value.”

Mrs Scott-Boutell raised concerns over the lack of parking at Eastgates too.

The petition will be sent to Royal Mail in the coming weeks.

“I think it is really important to tell Royal Mail the strength of local feeling,” she said.

Former SubPostmaster Graham Baxter added: “It is a great shame for the residents of Stanway to lose a facility which is at such a convenient location.

“Please support this petition by signing it online or dropping into the collection office.”

The petition can be found online at petitionbuzz.com/petitions/lexdenheathdelivery.

The Gazette approached the Royal Mail for a comment but none was forthcoming before we went to press.