A major high street bank has been accused of ignoring customers' views over the merger of two branches in Sutton.
Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow has hit out at Barclays after it closed its North Sutton branch this month, forcing customers to use the branch at the top of the High Street.
He claims residents living at the bottom of the hill with walking difficulties will have problems accessing the new location.
"It's all very well that the High Street branch will be fitted with facilities for special needs customers, but they have to get to the branch in the first place," he said.
Barclays however, says the £500,000 investment in refurbishing the High Street bank will cater for all customers, especially the elderly and people with disabilities.
New facilities will include wheelchair access, hearing induction loops and low level counters.
A Barclays spokesman told the Guardian: "There are buses that run from one end of the High Street to another.
"We are only doing what other retailers have done."
In a letter to Mr Burstow, chief executive of Barclays Matthew Barrett, said customers' views were taken into consideration. He added the decision to close the branch was not taken lightly.
November 23, 2001 11:30
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