CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Old Town’s library warn if the axe falls it will hit local businesses.

Supporters say the council’s advice to residents to go down the hill to the new Central Library in Regent Circus also makes a mockery of Swindon Council’s claims to be green.


Campaigner Shirley Burnham said: “The resulting increased carbon footprint of those travelling to the centre by bus and car to use the only library available to them will severely damage the council’s ‘green’ credentials.

“Whilst they are in town, people will use the central post office, the banks and shops.

“This is of great concern to traders in Old Town who can already see evidence of failed businesses and an air of general neglect imposed on it by successive administrations.

“It may well be that the serious economic pressures within the council will lead to many more library closures, reduced opening hours, further cuts in book funds and redundancies.

“Our struggle for the continued existence of Old Town Library is more than a little, local skirmish.

“Swindon Council’s decision will either reflect a genuine effort to conserve a library network of which the town can be proud, or its indifference to its eventual destruction.

“We maintain the hope that Old Town ward councillors will persuade their colleagues in cabinet and council to recognise the very important precedent that their decision about our library will set.”

South Swindon MP, Anne Snelgrove, said: “I continue to support the library and the excellent staff as an essential part of the community of Old Town.

“Local schools continue to use the services and it is a vital centre for the elderly, who I know are made welcome and ‘in touch’ whilst they choose their books or use the computer.

“The huge vote of confidence in Old Town Library, since the last campaign, that has been reflected in the increased footfall is surely evidence that the library is vital to the community.”

Coun Nick Martin, the cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: “We are already spending more on the Central Library than we were two years ago and we have to ask ourselves if having another library just at the top of the hill is an appropriate use of resources.

“But we have said that if a volunteer group is willing to come forward to help staff the library we are willing to fund the building.”

A petition to save the library, which has been signed by more than 1,200 people, will be presented to the Mayor of Swindon on Tuesday.