1000 people say “Save Anerley Library!” (Bromley Borough Liberal Democrats)

Bromley Borough Liberal Democrats <info@bromleylibdems.org.uk>

1000 people say “Save Anerley Library!”

April 15, 2011 9:10 AM
By Tom Papworth

Liberal Democrat councillors and local residents are calling on Bromley Council to save Anerley Library.

Councillors John Canvin (left) and Tom Papworth (right) join local resident Louise Fryer in handing in the petition to Bromley’s Executive Councillor for libraries, who recently spent £5 million on a new library in his own ward. Liberal Democrat councillors Tom Papworth and John Canvin have joined local resident Louise Fryer in launching a petition calling on Bromley to cancel plans to close the much-valued library at Anerley Town Hall.

In February they handed the first 770 signatures in to Bromley's Executive Councillor for libraries - enough to force a debate at Council. Since then, hundreds more have signed, taking the total to 1,000 signatures.

Click here to sign the Save Anerley Library petition online

Cllr Tom Papworth said "There are five libraries in Bromley that receive fewer visitors per month than Anerley, yet Bromley's Conservative administration have targeted our library for closure. It is clear that local residents want this vital local service saved. Now we'll see if the Tories listen."

Cllr John Canvin added "Only a couple of years ago the Conservative in charge of libraries spent £5 million on a new library in his own ward in Biggin Hill. Now the Tories are threatening to close Anerley or Penge libraries, to save just £90,000 a year. This is typical of the neglect that the Conservatives show Crystal Palace residents."

The petition already contains enough names to force a debate at a meeting of the whole Council later this year. But if we get even more signatures we can put more pressure on the Council to keep Anerley Library open.

Click here to sign the Save Anerley Library petition online