WHALLEY and Trawden libraries are set to close this week despite residents campaigning to save them.

County Hall bosses said the closures are part of its plans to reduce the number of buildings it operates as it strives to save £220million imposed by central Government.

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The library cuts along with the closure of a number of children’s centre will save millions of pounds.

County Councillor David Borrow, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said despite the closures people will still have access to good services.

The first closures will take place in the Ribble Valley, with Spring Wood children’s centre in Abbey Road shutting on Friday at noon followed by the adjacent Whalley library at noon on Saturday.

Residents are now being urged to use Great Harwood and Clitheroe libraries and children’s centres as they are now the nearest facilities.

Ribble Valley Councillor, Ged Mirfin, was one of the leaders of the Save Whalley Library Campaign.

He said: “It’s incredibly short sighted, questions have to be asked as to why this is being done now.

“I cannot understand as to why the county council couldn’t wait until May and the elections.

“They need to take into the account the residents in Whalley, there are no plans in place for alternative library access for elderly residents and families. Frankly it’s just not good enough.”

More buildings across the county will also be closing their doors later this month.

Colne’s Riverside children’s centre will be shutting on Friday, November 18 at 12.30pm, while Trawden library in Church Street will close on the same day at 5pm.

Library users in Pendle will have to travel to Nelson. The plans will result in changes to where some services are delivered, including libraries, children’s services, children’s centres, young people’s centres, youth offending teams, older people’s daytime support services, and adult disability services.

County Cllr Borrow said: “People will still have good access to good services while allowing the council to deliver some of the huge savings we need to make.

“The county council is in a very severe financial position due to the ongoing cuts in central government funding combined with rising demand for our services, and the only way we can maintain the services that people rely on is to deliver them in a different way.”

For more information about these changes, visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/get-involved/consultations/changes-to-where-we-provide-services.aspx.