Councillors in talks over fears for PO

Saturday 28th February 2009, 10:42AM GMT.

Anxious councillors in Ellesmere are due to hold talks next week amid fears the town’s postal sorting office could close.

A member of staff has claimed Royal Mail is considering closing its sorting offices in Ellesmere and Church Stretton.

Royal Mail today said it constantly reviews operations and currently has no “firm plans” regarding either of the sites.

The issue will be discussed at a meeting of Ellesmere Town Council on Monday.

Councillor Geoff Elner, Ellesmere’s mayor, said the council wrote to the Post Office asking for details.

He said if there were plans to close Ellesmere’s sorting office, the council would fight against it.

He said: “The town is growing and lots of people do not have transport and they cannot travel to Oswestry to pick up items which could not be delivered to them. It’s just not acceptable.”

Owen Paterson, MP for North Shropshire, added: “This is a major issue for us in Shropshire and I’m keen to keep the Post Office network intact.”

Royal Mail spokeswomn Jaquie Stenson said: “We constantly review our operations. However, at present we have no firm plans regarding Ellesmere Delivery Office.”

The meeting takes place on Monday at Ellesmere Town Hall from 7.20pm.

l Brown – See Page 6

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