• IT was surprising to read Councillor Timothy Barnes’s assertion (No decision has been made to close libraries in Westminster, February 18) that the proposal for a “new” Church Street library is evidence of the council’s investment in the borough’s library provision (rather than part of its latest regeneration scheme).

Perhaps he is unaware the city council’s proposed replacement library in Church Street amounts to a 20 per cent reduction on the current provision, despite a planned increase in the local population of another 20 per cent?

As cabinet member for young people and learning it is to be hoped that he will now support the many calls for the plans to be revised to ensure all (existing and future) residents of one of the country’s most deprived wards continue to benefit from the present level of access to what is an essential and much relied upon and loved community resource.

NATASHA M, NW8