Anger at unexpected closure of Elton post office

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Politicians are demanding action after a post office closed unexpectedly, meaning elderly residents will struggle to pick up their pension over Christmas.

Elton councillor Stephen Smith and Ellesmere Port & Neston MP Justin Madders have joined forces to demand action over the recent closure of Elton Post Office.

They argue that the closure could leave some residents unable to pick up their pension over Christmas, as the nearest available facilities are several miles away.

The branch suddenly closed last week without residents, the Member of Parliament or the council being informed or consulted, as would be the usual practice.

After several requests for comment from Justin Madders MP, a Post Office manager confirmed the branch was closed on a temporary basis due to a dispute between the landlord and tenant of the property. The manager was unable to confirm when the branch would reopen.

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It was suggested residents instead use the Helsby, Wolverham or Ellesmere Port Asda branches instead, a suggestion met with anger by Mr Madders.

He said: “Even the closest of these branches is almost three miles from Elton Post Office, while the others are more than five miles away. A pensioner without access to a car from Ince or Elton would simply not be able to make this journey.

“It beggars belief that nobody from the Post Office bothered to tell anyone that this branch was closed.

“This facility is a lifeline to many people in the village and answers need to be provided about when it will reopen and what residents are expected to do in the meantime.”

Cllr Stephen Smith said: “I know from speaking with residents how vital these services are to them. It is simply not good enough for Post Office managers to expect vulnerable people to travel many miles just to collect their pension or send post.

“We want to see this matter being treated with the highest possible priority. I am calling on the Post Office to urgently reopen this facility – we need action, not excuses.”