Hornsey and Wood Green MP Catherine West has criticised “shortsighted” plans to close Muswell Hill’s Royal Mail delivery office, while locals say the plans are “very concerning”.

This week the Royal Mail announced it is consulting staff on plans to shut the office in Muswell Hill and transfer services to its north London hub in Wood Green.

Ms West said: “I strongly oppose these shortsighted plans to close Muswell Hill delivery office, meaning that customers would be forced to travel all the way to Wood Green to pick up a parcel.

“For elderly, disabled people or parents with small children that means huge inconvenience, long bus journeys and bigger queues. It’s a particular blow for small business holders and sole traders who rely on these crucial services.”

Catherine has requested an urgent meeting with the Royal Mail’s chief exec.

Rachael Booth-Clibborn, who lives in N10 and would be directly affected, told the Ham&High: “The impact of this would be very concerning for local small businesses and for those with mobility issues who rely on public services on their doorstep.”

Rachael, who also founded the Muswell Hill Creatives group, added: “We hope that Catherine West MP and other local councillors will fully challenge this decision.”

A spokesperson for the Royal Mail said: “We would like to make clear that this is only a proposal at this stage. We now need to speak to our staff at both offices. We are also liaising with the MP.”

In a statement explaining the decision, the Royal Mail cited its “ongoing transformation of its business to increase the efficiency of its operation as well as providing delivery offices which are fit for purpose for our people and for our customers”.

It added: “As a commercial business, we are responding to the huge growth in electronic communications and decline in letter volumes, while seeing a high volume of parcels and online shopping that need to be delivered to customers.”

It claims moving services to Wood Green would help “increase the efficiency of its operations and provide delivery offices that are fit for purpose for our staff and our customers”.

No firm decision is expected for approximately three months.