LOCAL residents turned out in force at Westbrook library at the first drop in consultation on proposed changes to library services by Warrington Borough Council.
The community is angry at the proposed closure of Westbrook Library and the loss of such a valuable resource and they came out in great numbers yesterday, Friday, to talk with Parish and Ward Councillors and library staff as well as Warrington South MP Sarah Hall.
Local resident Heather Copperwheat said: “It was quite something to see so many passionate people, including children, attending the Westbrook Library today. The community was only given three days’ notice of the consultation drop-ins, yet despite this, they came out in great numbers to have their say.
“It is very sad that we were given such little notice of the start of the six-week consultation period and the dates of the drop-in sessions, yet in spite of this, the residents came out in force to have their say!
“Many of the children in attendance had made posters showing the reasons why they love the library. Lots of the children attend the library during school visits once a week and after school.”
MP Sarah Hall with local youngsters
Warrington Borough Council has stated, “Westbrook is a library that doesn’t perform as well as others in Warrington. The only other libraries that have fewer visits per hour are our Hub sites, which are open for many more hours given the number of different uses and purposes of our Hubs.”
Heather added: “As a community, we believe there is some question about how the numbers are calculated, as we as a community has evidence of a significantly greater footfall than what we believe is being quoted by the Council.
“We would encourage everyone to complete the online consultation to have their say.”
1 Comment
If WBC had been more frugal in their spending on investments in the past perhaps they wouldn’t find themselves in this position