Government steps in to delay library closures in West Berkshire

Council had planned to close all but one branches before culture department’s intervention, described by librarians as ‘welcome temporary relief’

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has intervened to delay plans to close eight of West Berkshire’s nine libraries.

West Berkshire council made the proposals earlier this year in an attempt to save £730,000 by closing the eight branch libraries – as well as two mobile libraries – which would leave the district served by just one branch library in Newbury. The campaign group Friends of Hungerford Library said the plans would have a “devastating impact”, and the council has received over 2,000 responses to its consultation about the cuts.

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