Highgate residents are furious after being told they ll be charged a staggering £4.32 for a single first class stamp. That s the combined cost of the stamp and £4 return bus journey to the nearest post office if the much-loved branch on Highgate High Str

Highgate residents are furious after being told they'll be charged a staggering £4.32 for a single first class stamp.

That's the combined cost of the stamp and £4 return bus journey to the nearest Post Office if the much-loved branch on Highgate High Street is forced to close.

The Post Office is trying to shut the profitable local shop as part of nationwide cutback plan - but they have ignored Highgate's unique problem. The hills!

The Post Office consultation document, seen by the Highgate Society, admits Highgate is on 'hilly terrain'. Many local people, particularly the elderly, infirm and young families find the hills hard to negotiate. So the Post Office has advised customers to the Upper Holloway post office in Archway by bus - but hasn't taken into account the extra cost.

The Highgate Society's spokesman Brendan Nolan said: "It's a tax on Highgate. We're being asked to pay £4 each time we want to use the Post Office."

Over 30 local businesses, schools and mail-order firms in Highgate Village are also furious as the costly trip to another branch will eat into profits and add an hour to the working day.

Avril Castellazzo from WCD design in Highgate High Street said:"To use the Upper Holloway branch, it's a 15 minute trip on the bus, a long queue then another 15 minute trip back. If we have a lot to post, it means struggling with a sack of mail on the bus in rush hour. It's ridiculous.

"Many Highgate businesses are one-man bands. If we're forced to shut to use a distant branch, we'll lose vital business and some of us will go bust. The Post Office has to think again and keep the High Street branch open."

Other residents are angry it will force them into their cars, making a mockery of Mayor Ken Livingstone's drive to make London greener.

The Highgate Society is running a campaign to keep Highgate High Street Post Office open. Consultation on the closure ends on April 2 so the Highgate Society is urging residents to sign their petition, available in local shops, and to also lobby the Post Office closure team on: National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM (no stamp is required).