‘The Westminster Conservatives should be building on the excellent provision not considering further cuts’

• I WAS disappointed to read that Westminster’s Conservatives are considering reducing the library service, (Cuts may see axe fall on historic libraries, February 11).

I agree with Councillor Timothy Barnes, cabinet member for young people and learning, that during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns Westminster libraries continued to provide much needed services online and by click and collect.

The staff contributed greatly to community wellbeing and are at the vanguard of service provision in the country. This is exactly the reason the service should be protected not scaled down.

Online provision is very important but the physical buildings are just as crucial, often the hub of their community, and the only safe public spaces accessible in the borough.

And to consider moving from the purpose-built Archive Centre when the interest in heritage and local history is growing, is a real retrograde step.

In the Church Street area we have been campaigning for years during the “regeneration” to keep the library provision on Church Street and have so far only managed a commitment to two-thirds of the existing space.

Similarly if the Marylebone library ever does move into the Seymour centre it will be a shadow of its former provision at the Old Town Hall.

The Westminster Conservatives should be building on the excellent provision not considering further cuts.

LINDA HARDMAN
Marylebone Road, NW1