Call for 1000 more signatures on Library Petition

1.29.07pm GMT Fri 11th Dec 2009

Campaigners for the use of Southport Market Hall as a temporary home for Southport's Library are aiming to collect 1000 more signatures on their petition this Saturday (12th December).

They will be out again in the centre of Chapel Street from 11.30 to 2.30 seeking to add to the 5443 signatures they have collected so far, but which were clearly not enough to persuade this week's meeting of Sefton's Overview and Scrutiny Committee to refer the matter back the Council' ruling Cabinet.

Birkdale Lib Dem Councillor Richard Hands (pictured to rear on right) is one of those behind the Campaign and he says that people are angry.

"When we took the petition of over 5400 names to Wednesday's meeting we had high hopes that councillors from the other two parties would listen to what people were saying," said Richard.

"It is not just library users and residents who are angry about not having a town centre library for the next 3 years. We also had representations from the overwhelming majority of market traders who said that they strongly supported the idea of a 'Library within a Market'. Despite this, and all the evidence that Cabinet members had not been aware of the full facts, the Conservative and Labour majority had their way again."

"If 5443 signatures are not enough, then we will just have to collect some more. Our final chance to try and overturn this wrong decision is in early January, which is why we will be out again tomorrow, collecting more signatures."

"We will be in the centre of Chapel Street on Saturday from 11.30 to 2.30, and look forward to seeing other residents who want to sign."