Wirral library campaigners urge caution as closures are put on hold

Apr 8 2009 Heswall News

CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a temporary victory, but urging caution as the government’s public inquiry puts library closures on hold.

With the first set of institutions just a day from closure and anger still palpable over Hoylake, Irby and Woodchurch Libraries’ imminent demise, protesters have declared Andy Burnham’s last minute intervention “a vindication of everything we have done”.

Wirral Campaign Against Cuts (WCAC) has been meeting regularly to formulate a strategy as council chiefs remained unbowed, drawing support from a broad cross section of society and both sides of the political fence.

WCAC spokesman Alec McFadden told the News: “We asked for openness and transparency and all we got from the council was party block votes.

“As far as we’re concerned this is a vindication of everything we have done.”

Hoylake resident Liz Webster has campaigned tirelessly since news emerged that the popular library was facing the axe.

She said: “We’re absolutely delighted.

“It’s just what we’ve been hoping for and we feel quite hopeful that common sense will prevail and we get to keep the libraries.

“It’s definitely not over yet, we’ve still got a way to go, but it’s great Andy Burnham has decided to step in.”

Hoylake Cllr John Hale also welcomed the news, but remained sceptical. The Conservative councillor said: “I am very pleased this enquiry is going to take place and I’m just hoping it is not some sort of delaying tactic.

“It’s got to listen to the views of the public and of those councillors who have supported the public. If the Cabinet was genuine in what it believed, it would have built these new centres first and then closed the older ones.

“If it’s simply a strategy to save money, then it’s the wrong reason to close places of learning, particularly with the effect it has on children.”

The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) has urged the Council to reverse its decision.

Leader of the CILIP council, Caroline Moss-Gibbons, said: “This news is very welcome and is what we have been working hard for.

“I am pleased the government has finally acted and responded to pressure from CILIP, library campaigners and a large number of local people.”