A PETITION to save Redditch Library has reached 1,000 signatures in just four days.
The petition, organised by the borough’s Labour Party, headlined ‘Keep our library at the heart of Redditch – with a guaranteed plan and full services’ was born in response to growing public unease about the lack of future plans for the library once the building is demolished with Towns Deal money.
More than 900 people have signed the online petition at Change.org with a further 100 signatures on a paper version.
“it is clear that people are rightfully concerned about the future of this service as there are no plans which indicate a future location or which will guarantee no downgrade of services,” said Labour activist Sharon Harvey.
“We are opposed to spending £4.2million demolishing a purpose built facility to end up with an open space and a lesser library.
“What kind of council gets funding for demolition but fails to make a plan for the relocation of services?”
She was joined by Joanna Kane who said: “The library is more than just a room full of books to be slotted in anywhere (Council Leader) Councillor Dormer thinks it might fit.
“We must protect this fantastic service.”
Former borough and county councillor Joe Baker added: “Spending this amount of money on demolishing a perfectly decent building is morally bankrupt.
“The Redditch Conservatives do not have a fit and proper plan for the services here in Redditch.
“I believe there must be other options available that retains a full library service and don’t cost over £4m to implement.”
The petition hits at claims by the borough’s ruling Conservative group that they have full public backing for their Town Deal plans.
Labour says only 622 residents responded to their Town Deal consultation last year, of which just 46 per cent – that is 287 people – considered ‘a public square on the site of the library’ to be a positive idea.
The number of residents signing this petition is more than triple that number.
Councillor Andy Fry, the leader of the Labour group on Redditch Borough Council said: “The petition will be presented to Worcestershire County Council who own the current building and are responsible for library services across the county.
“Redditch Labour understands that £800,000 worth of savings are to be made within library services this year.
“We will not accept a downgrade of our library in order to facilitate these cuts.”
Labour aere calling for a funded plan for a fully protected library service in the heart of Redditch town centre.
To sign the petition click here
