Library’s swift closure attacked

THE Liberal Democrats have been accused of contempt after the closure of Broadway Library was brought forward.

The shock news came to light just hours after Labour’s proposal to save and improve the library, or provide a better one near by, was defeated by one vote.

Broadway will now close on May 16 rather than in June to save as much money as possible.

Councillor David Hibbert made the failed attempt to save the library at Wednesday’s Oldham Council meeting — when the Lib-Dems administration seemed unaware of the change to the closing date.

Councillor Hibbert fumed: “We thought it was there until the end of June, that’s what we were told.

“They are treating people with contempt. There’s one person who works there who has been on the phone to me in tears trying to find out what’s going on.”

Around 1,000 people signed a petition to save Broadway which opened in December, 1954, to celebrate the Queen’s coronation. Pupils from Yew Tree Primary School also presented letters pleading for it to stay.

It will close along with Stoneleigh Library and the mobile library to help save £20 million.

A temporary facility will be provided at Turf Lane Community Centre.

Councillor Hibbert is concerned about the impact on classes and students at Turf Lane and added: “I feel when they put the temporary arrangements in place it will be temporary for quite a few years.

“It going to cost a lost of money to move the library, its going to disrupt the existing users and the cost of securing the properties on Broadway will be wasted expenditure.”

Veronica Jackson, executive director of people, communities and society, refuted a rumour that the library had already been bought by a housing association.

She confirmed: “This swift closure is vital in order to ensure that the council achieves the savings it has budgeted for. I would like to make it absolutely clear that currently there are no plans whatsoever for the disposal of this site.”