A NEW row has broken out as it emerged several East Lancashire libraries will have shorter opening hours to keep others open.

The new Lancashire County Council Tory administration vowed to reverse its Labour predecessor's closure programme when they took power in May.

Culture boss Cllr Peter Buckley has revealed while total opening hours would rise by 354, some libraries would actually lose hours.

County Liberal Democrat group leader David Whipp said the proposals did not fulfil the Tories promise on saving library services, highlighting a '10 per cent reduction' in the hours of Barnoldswick in his Pendle Rural ward.

Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones, an opponent of the original closure programme, said: "They are doing this on a shoe-string, with a lack of staff resources and by reducing the opening hours of several libraries.

"It is not what they promised before May."

Ribble Valley borough councillor for Billington and Old Langho Ged Mirfin, who led the campaign to save Whalley Library, said the strategy was 'very clever'.

He said an eight-week consultation would see people volunteer to extend several libraries' opening hours.

Under the new proposals, of the closed East Lancashire libraries being re-opened Barrowford will see an increase from its previous 25 hours to 34; Burnley Campus a cut from 55 to 34; Whalley a fall from 36 to 34; and Oswaldtwistle a reduction from 35.5 to 34.

Libraries remaining open will also see changes in opening hours.

Accrington will keep them at 50; Bacup will see a fall from 38.5 to 34; Brierfield a cut from 34.5 to 34; Barnoldswick a reduction from 46 to 42; Burnley and Chorley a fall from 51 to 50.

Coal Clough Library in Burnley's will see an increase from 33 to 34; Great Harwood and

Haslingden a rise from 41.5 to 42; Longridge an increase from 37.5 to 42; Mellor a rise from 13 to 18; Padiham a fall from 40 to 34; Rawtenstall a rise from 48 to 50; and Rishton a cut from 35 to 34.

Colne Library's hours will increase from 49 to 52; Nelson's fall from 51 to 42; and Whitworth's rise from 28 to 34.

Cllr Whipp said: "This is not what the Tories promised about reopening libraries.

"Some libraries will open for fewer hours, in Barnoldswick's case four - a 10 per cent reduction."

Cllr Mirfin said: "This is very clever proposal.

"The consultation gives local communities and volunteers the chance extend opening hours which will hA ROW has broken out as it emerged several East Lancashire libraries will have shorter opening hours to keep others open.

The new Lancashire County Council Tory administration vowed to reverse its Labour predecessor’s closure programme when they took power at County Hall in May.

Culture boss Cllr Peter Buckley has revealed that while total opening hours would rise by 354, some libraries would actually lose hours.

County Liberal Democrat group leader David Whipp said the proposals did not fulfil the Tories promise on saving library services, highlighting a ‘10 per cent reduction’ in the hours of Barnoldswick in his Pendle Rural ward.

Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones, an opponent of the original closure programme, said: “They are doing this on a shoe-string, with a lack of staff resources and by reducing the opening hours of several libraries.

“It is not what they promised before May.”

Ribble Valley borough councillor for Billington and Old Langho Ged Mirfin, who led the campaign to save Whalley Library, said the strategy was ‘very clever’.

He said an eight-week consultation would see people volunteer to extend several libraries’ opening hours.

Under the new proposals, of the closed East Lancashire libraries being re-opened, Barrowford would see an increase from its previous 25 hours to 34; Burnley Campus a cut from 55 to 34; Whalley a fall from 36 to 34; and Oswaldtwistle a reduction from 35.5 to 34.

Libraries remaining open will also see changes in opening hours.

Accrington will keep them at 50; Bacup will see a fall from 38.5 to 34; Brierfield a cut from 34.5 to 34; Barnoldswick a reduction from 46 to 42; Burnley and Chorley a fall from 51 to 50.

Coal Clough Library in Burnley’s will see an increase from 33 to 34; Great Harwood and

Haslingden a rise from 41.5 to 42; Longridge an increase from 37.5 to 42; Mellor a rise from 13 to 18; Padiham a fall from 40 to 34; Rawtenstall a rise from 48 to 50; and Rishton a cut from 35 to 34.

Colne Library’s hours will increase from 49 to 52; Nelson’s fall from 51 to 42; and Whitworth’s rise from 28 to 34.

Cllr Whipp said: “This is not what the Tories promised about reopening libraries.

“Some libraries will open for fewer hours, in Barnoldswick’s case four - a 10 per cent reduction.”

Cllr Mirfin said: “This is very clever proposal.

“The consultation gives local communities and volunteers the chance extend opening hours which will happen in Whalley’s.”