Libraries across the county including Lechlade, Tetbury and Bourton-on-the-Water face closure

A judicial review to examine the legality of Gloucestershire County Council’s cuts to library services across the county began at Birmingham’s Civil Justice Centre this morning.

Last November GCC announced plans to cut library services by 43 per cent as part of its bid to save £108million over the next four years.

Ten libraries across Gloucestershire face closure if the cuts are implemented, including Lechlade.

Public Interest Lawyers are working with communities across the county which face losing their libraries and argue that GCC is in breach of its obligation under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide an “efficient and comprehensive library service”

A temporary injunction has been placed on the closures, but this will be lifted if the court finds in favour of GCC.

Lechlade library working group chairman Councillor Sue Coakley said they felt legal action was the only way to ensure a fair outcome.

“We believe that the courts will agree with us that a ‘comprehensive library service’ must mean access to a library with the full range of services including broadband access as well as books for the whole community,” she said.