COUNCILLORS in Radcliffe have spoken at their ‘delight’ at the decision to save Radcliffe Library.

Bury Council’s cabinet committee officially announced the news last week, but at the same time confirmed that 10 of the borough’s libraries will be closing.

Councillor Sharon Briggs, portfolio holder for children and families, presented her report to fellow cabinet members proposing that Radcliffe Library will remain open, along with libraries in Bury, Ramsbottom and Prestwich.

Ainsworth Library, Brandlesholme Community Centre and Library, Castle Leisure Centre Library, Coronation Road Community Centre and Library, Dumers Lane Community Centre and Library, Moorside Community Centre and Library, Topping Fold Community Centre and Library, Tottington Library, Unsworth Library and Whitefield Library and Adult Learning Centre will all close in the shake-up.

Bury Council leader and councillor for Radcliffe West Rishi Shori, said: “Despite the huge financial pressures that the council faces due to Government cuts I am delighted that we have managed to keep Radcliffe Library open for the benefit of the local community.

“Although it was very disappointing that closures have had to be made at all, there will still be libraries in four of the six towns that make up the borough.

“Obviously these decisions are influenced by the financial challenges faced by the council due to Tory Government cuts.

“Unfortunately Bury hasn’t benefited from the Government’s generosity like Northern Ireland has which will receive an additional £1 billion worth of funding over the next two years which is equivalent to an extra £800 per voter in Northern Ireland.”

The council says the libraries review was carried out to develop a sustainable library service which meets the needs of current and future service users, against a backdrop of budget reductions.

Residents had previously been asked during a consultation period which option they would prefer — the council’s bare minimum legal requirement of keeping open Bury, Ramsbottom and Prestwich Libraries, or saving Radcliffe Library in addition but at no extra cost so funding would be spread more thinly.

Of those who responded, some 71 per cent said that they wanted to keep Radcliffe open.

Under the new proposals, 98 per cent of residents in the borough will be able to get to a library via public transport in 30 minutes or quicker.

Councillor for Radcliffe West Karen Leach said: “I made a commitment during the Radcliffe East By-Election to fight to keep Radcliffe Library open and I am pleased that we have been able to deliver on that.

“The library is a vital community asset steeped in history.

“The focus of the Radcliffe Labour Team will now be on working to regenerate the Town Centre and fight to against ongoing Tory cuts which are damaging our communities.”

Stuart Hall, aged 51, from Radcliffe, said that residents of the town should not be rejoicing at the announcement.

He said: “I’m glad at the news but are just being given back something that we already had. Where is the Civic Centre and a swimming pool that we have been promised? Where are the facilities to support the growing number of houses built here?”