Axe falls on sorting offices

Shropshire's postal service was dealt a double blow today as Royal Mail announced it is to axe district sorting offices in two county towns.

The move to shut sorting offices in Ellesmere and Church Stretton brings to an end months of speculation over their futures.

People in the towns were today reeling from the news, despite claims from Royal Mail managers that the postal service will improve as a result.

Under the shake-up, the mail operation in Ellesmere will transfer to Oswestry, nine miles away, while the Church Stretton mail operation will merge with Craven Arms, eight miles away.

The changes will take effect on May 11.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson said he was told "quite categorically" a month ago that the sorting office would remain open.

He said today: "This is a strange contradiction of what they told me very recently and I will be writing to the head of the Royal Mail. It's not good news.

"I am genuinely very surprised by this."

Councillor Geoff Elner, Mayor of Ellesmere, today said: "I'm upset and annoyed because it means the post for businesses in Ellesmere will be delayed.

"There was no proper consultation with us."

He added: "I think it's disgusting for a public body to behave like this."

Elaine Hill, manager at the Church Stretton post office said: "We have not been told it has gone yet so I can't really say if we have got a service or not.

"I am having a meeting later on this week. I don't know if the service is going to stay in Church Stretton or whether it is going down to Craven Arms."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The move will aid Royal Mail's efficiency by disposing of an old, not fit-for-purpose property, while better using Oswestry Delivery Office.

"It will also remove the duplication of some work and reduce the need to pass any 'mis-sorted' mail between the two sites.

"There will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of the move. Staff will be in a superior working environment."

He added: "Royal Mail will also reimburse our people for any extra mileage caused by the changes in their place of work."

By Tom Johannsen