Church Stretton Library campaigners take petition to Shirehall
Campaigners against plans to move Church Stretton Library from its current town centre location to a school almost half a mile away have delivered a 1100 signature petition to Shirehall.
Six Church Stretton residents from the library support group travelled to Shirehall on Monday to hand over the petition.
A petition of this size triggers a Shropshire Council procedure allowing a campaign group member to make a presentation at a full Council meeting in Shrewsbury.
The group has made a request to the council that it takes place on the 26 February 2015.
Commenting on the handover and the prospect of addressing full Council on the 26 February, Felicity Thomas, spokesperson for the Church Stretton Library Support Group said:
“The message to Shropshire Council is clear, simple and overwhelmingly supported by Church Stretton residents. 1100 people, so far, have signed the petition and over 200 turned up at the public meeting on the 4th February. The message is “keep our library where it is”. We expect our councillors to respect the will of the people and we will reinforce this message when we address full Council on the 26 February.”
A period of consultation on plans to move the library is underway until Monday 16 March 2015.
The Church Stretton Library support group has repeatedly made the point that the relocation to Church Stretton School will disadvantage older library users and reduce use as a result of poorer quality access and reduced facilities. In addition the group says it is an attack on the strong links between many community facilities and local shops and cafes which contribute so much to the distinctive character of Church Stretton.
