Town councillors have this week expressed their dismay at the potential closure of Highbridge Library.
Cllr Mike Mansfield warned at a council meeting in Burnham-On-Sea on Monday evening (October 4th) that the closure of the facilities in Alpha House in Market Street (pictured) looks “a definite possibility” following discussions with the County Council over the past week.
“Highbridge Library is one of the worst performing libraries in Somerset in terms of costs and the council says it could even turn the building into flats,” said Cllr Mansfield.
“A final decision on whether the library will shut will be made by the County Council on October 20th – tha’s when we’ll know for sure whether Highbridge Library will close.”
Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton stressed that no firm decision had been taken, adding: “All libraries across the county are currently under review due to the budget cuts. Unfortunately, though, Highbridge has one of the worst footfalls of any library.”
Highbridge councillor Cllr Joe Leach told Burnham-On-Sea.com after Monday’s meeting: “Closing our town library would be disastrous for Highbridge. It would be another valuable facility gone.”
And Cllr Chris Williams added: “The County Council needs to carefully consider the socio-economic implications of such a decision. Highbridge really needs a library. It can’t close.”
