AN irate mother has accused St Helens Council of ignoring the views of local people following the decision to close Haydock Central Library.

Justine Griffiths, whose three young children attend Legh Vale Primary School, says she only heard about the closure of the Clipsley Lane library when a note was stuck to the front door giving details of final opening times.

She told the Star: "I was stunned when I went round to the library and found this note saying that it would be closing on December 18. When I asked the librarian about it, she said that was the first she had heard as well. We had heard a rumour that the council would be giving local brass bands the use of the library as a rehearsal centre, but not that they would be closing it completely.

"It's not only the fact that the council have decided to close it without asking the local residents what we think that has angered me. My children all attend Legh Vale school which regularly uses the library as it is only a short walk away from the school. Haydock East Library is way up on Church Road and there is no way they can walk so far."

Legh Vale headteacher Mike Hewlett agreed. He said: "It is unrealistic to expect primary school-aged children to walk such a distance. We are very disappointed at the closure of Haydock Central because we do use it and it is a shame that the facility is being taken away." Council officials though denied that the closure would leave Legh Vale without a library. A spokesperson said: "St Helens prides itself on its library service and we actually have more libraries in the borough than most other towns. In addition, there is a mobile school library service which makes regular trips to schools, including Legh Vale, and a public mobile library which visits people who are housebound or have difficulty travelling.

"There were a number of reasons behind the decision to close, not least the fact that, having been built in 1930 as a war memorial, the building is now quite old and dated, whereas Haydock East is a more modern building. However, Haydock's brass bands have a history with the building, having held concerts there in the past and we felt that giving it back to them would create a community facility which reflected Haydock's long tradition of colliery bands."

But Mrs Griffiths' campaign has won the support of former librarian Dorothy Arstall, who retired last year after 24 years' service. She said: "The library is very well subscribed and although it is now only open for two full days and two hours on Saturday, it is always full of lenders. And the council's claim that the building is in need of repair is rubbish - it is in much better condition than Haydock East Library where I have also worked.

"I don't see how they can give the reason that giving the library over to the local brass band will equally serve the community because not everyone is interested in this sort of music, especially younger people."

JUSTINE Griffiths is bidding to persuade St Helens Council to reconsider the closure decision and has organised a meeting for tonight (Thursday, December 4) at Legh Vale Infants School, Legh Road, starting at 6.30pm.

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