Final chapter as closure dates are set for Wirral libraries

Mar 18 2009 Heswall News

HOYLAKE and Woodchurch Libraries will close on July 4, Wirral Council has confirmed, with Irby’s facility facing the axe a month earlier.

But the first swathe of closures will take place in less than three weeks, on April 4, when Higher Bebington, New Ferry, Ridgeway and Wallasey Village Libraries close their doors for the final time.

Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Simon Holbrook said he and fellow politicians had “no involvement in the timing”, adding that the dates had been “determined by operational demands”.

Hoylake and Woodchurch will be joined by two other facilities from across the borough, Eastham and Beechwood, as the final part of the cull plays out.

But campaigners, active since the council’s Strategic Asset Review (SAR) placed a total of 11 libraries under threat last autumn, reacted angrily to the revelations and vowed to fight on.

Barbara Kirby used to work at Hoylake Library and protested when attempts were made to close it 30 years ago.

She said: “I’m shocked to hear things have actually started and also trying to work out why Hoylake has been left to the end.

“We are still extremely determined that these libraries will not close.”

Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford travelled to York to deliver his critique of the process to the Local Government Ombudsman two weeks ago.

The Labour MP said: “It does seem to some extent the council have listened to my demand to delay closure.

“What is less clear is the position of Irby Library, which appears to have a different date, when in my view Irby should be reviewed on the same lines as Hoylake and Woodchurch.”

Cllr Holbrook believes the release of dates “ends the uncertainty over the libraries” and revealed that the process to ensnare £20million of borrowing to invest in new ‘multi-purpose complexes’ is running parallel, but “will take some time to conclude”.