Willaston residents have had enough of being ignored by Royal Mail, as the lack of a local postal service hits hard.

Village resident, Rachel Roberts, told Nub News: "We have now been told to travel to the postal depot in Nantwich to collect urgent mail.

"I've been there twice this week, knowing the office is only open from 8am until 10am, and had to pay to park each time.

"The limited opening hours make it difficult for people who work, and when I went today during those advertised hours, it was closed due to staff shortages.

"This week my mother received a letter about a hospital appointment that was more than a month old.

"As a result, she was marked as having 'Did Not Attend', which will likely affect her future NHS appointments. Delays like this can have real consequences for people's health and wellbeing."

Willaston and Rope councillor, Allen Gage (non-grouped), noted the "platitudes" issued by Royal Mail last April had done nothing to alleviate the issue in the village.

"I don't think the comments issued by Royal Mail were serious, I suspect it's managed decline.

"Last week I spoke with a young mother who received a letter two weeks after it was sent.

"Her daughter had knuckled down at school this year and was subsequently chosen for the head teachers award, they almost missed the prize evening due to the letter being so late.

"Consistently late mail is impacting all aspects of society. Hearing a lady that's worked all her life and helped build this country up has missed a hospital appointment by a month, it's just not on.

"Royal Mail claim staff shortages are to blame, but I can't find any actual adverts or job vacancies being advertised for the Nantwich office which covers Willaston, I suspected it's being purposely understaffed.

"If that is the case then please stop ignoring Willaston, create a rota that treats everywhere evenly.

"Postal provision is a national government responsibility. This lack of service is not the MP's fault, but I ask him to focus his efforts away from ideological pursuits and to chase up the basics.

"Month-old mail is a waste of NHS resource and a poor reflection of a nation."

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