REDDITCH residents do not support the relocation of the library to the town hall, according to the survey in the recent consultation.
There were a total of 1,467 responses to the survey, which represents 2.2 per cent of the Redditch population aged over 19.
Of the responses, 72.3 per cent said they disagreed with the relocation of the library.
Worcestershire County Council held an Overview and Scrutiny (ONS) panel to discuss the results of the consultation and the proposed relocation.
The town centre proposals comprise of two parts – transforming Redditch Town Hall into a community hub and if the library does move into the community hub the proposals involve the redevelopment of the existing library site into a new shopping and leisure plaza.
During the consultation, residents expressed concerns about the community hub being further from the town centre, further from the bus and railway station, further from car parks and would involve walking down and up a hill to get to it.
Fears were also expressed that the relocation might limit the facilities and services offered by the library.
During the meeting, Hannah Perrot, director of communities at Worcestershire County Council, assured councillors that the community hub was based around accessibility.
“Reddich Borough Council have verbally committed to inclusion of a blue badge parking space in the Town Hall car park for library customers, in addition to short stay pick up and drop off spaces.
“This would enable customers with blue badges to park directly outside the library in its new location.
“Where we have relocated libraries before in Bromsgrove and Worcester, we have seen a marked increase in footfall.
“The new layouts are well received and have increased the use of these vital services.”
Chairman of the ONS panel Coun Emma Stokes said at the end of the meeting that Redditch Borough Council needed to submit more details about the proposed layout of the library, specifically the children’s space.
“To make an informed decision at the Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board we need all of the information available to us on the proposed area of the library.
“We are waiting for Redditch Borough Council to provide indicative layouts of archive shelving and other furniture, as well as ensuring that Worcestershire County Council is no worse off financially with the move.”
