Telford libraries avoid closure axe but face hours cut

Library services in Telford this afternoon escaped the worst of council budget cuts after local parishes agreed to help keep them open.

It means no libraries will close in the borough – bucking the national trend.

Parish councils in Great Dawley, Stirchley & Brookside and Hadley & Leegomery have committed cash or agreed to share costs to keep their local services running.

But the libraries have not escaped entirely. Telford & Wrekin Council has identified 20 per cent savings by reducing opening hours and sharing overhead costs.

That includes sharing the library in Stirchley with the parish council, meaning that lenders will still be able to borrow books when the building is open even if there are no library staff there.

A similar scheme already operates at Oakengates Library, which shares The Place with Oakengates Theatre. New opening times will come in from September 3.