Hundreds sign library petition

Support is gathering behind a campaign to oppose Powys County Council’s plan to downgrade Welshpool Library by squeezing it in with the Powysland Museum.

The cash strapped council sees the move as a cost saving measure, but it has been met by a wave of criticism since we broke the story last month after being tipped off by a whistle blower.

A number of fronts have opened to fight the move, with an online petition already reaping well over 500 signatures with many more signing a physical petition.

And Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has organised a coffee morning on Friday at the Town Hall under the banner We love our Libraries after saying he was “horrified” by the move.

“I’m always wary of leading criticism of elected bodies concerning responsibilities that they are struggling to cope with,” he said. “But I am horrified by the proposed closure of the Welshpool Library, and serious downgrading of the service. I could accept opening a library on the Main Street or maybe as part of one of the new schools.”

Any profits from Friday’s coffee morning will go to the Severn Hospice.

Powys County Council launched a consultation last week to find out people’s views, but it has been branded as “one sided” by protestors who want to maintain the status quo.

The petition can be found here.