Royal Mail quizzed on delivery office

Town councillors are calling for bosses at the company to "make up their minds" after north Shropshire MP Owen Paterson and town clerk Peter Holloway received contrasting letters from the firm.

The call comes as more than 600 people have signed a petition against rumoured plans to close the facility.

• And dozens more joined the fight online with an online petition at shropshirestar.com. To sign it, go to the bottom of this page

A move to close the delivery office would mean Ellesmere residents having to travel nine miles to Oswestry to pick up mail.

Mr Paterson's letter from Royal Mail said there were "no firm plans" to close the office, while a letter sent to Ellesmere Town Council said bosses were reviewing operations and would meet with the council once a decision was reached.

Mr Holloway said it was time for Royal Mail to make a decision and discuss plans with the public.

"There are over 650 signatures on the petition, although I fear we will never get them to say they won't close it because it's a business at the end of the day so they wont close the door for the future," he said.

"They need to make up their mind about when they are going to put their head into the tiger's mouth.

"What happens to people who live or work here all the time and do not have a car? It's in the middle of an industrial estate so they can't even rely on public transport, and it's not ideal, especially when the Prime Minister is advocating local services for local communities."

Jaquie Stenson, Royal Mail spokeswoman, said: "We have consistently said to interested parties that whilst we have no confirmed plans for Ellesmere delivery office, Royal Mail constantly reviews the operational efficiency and commercial practicality of all its units.

"If a decision is taken to make changes to our operation in the area we will communicate the detail as appropriate."

Councillors will discuss the issue at a meeting on Monday at Ellesmere Town Hall from 7.20pm.

By Abigail Bates