LIBRARY users in Burnley are set to turn out in force to discuss the controversial planned closure of three facilities in the town.

Lancashire County Council is considering scrapping three existing libraries and replacing them with a new library planned for the Sixth Form Centre being built on Barden Lane as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

The libraries under threat are Briercliffe, Barbon Street and Colne Road.

Martin Smith, the Burnley councillor for economic development, said: "The idea that parents are going to drive their children down to Barden Lane to use the facilities at the sixth form centre is madness.

"Not everyone's got a car and it's not easy fitting journeys like that into a busy working day.

"The county council needs to think about this a bit more carefully.

"Do they want a fancy new library that's too far away for people to use, or do they want local facilities that help local kids to do their homework?"

Resident Sheila Moorhouse, of Briercliffe Road, said that Barbon Street library was used a lot by local people, especially children using the computers for internet access.

She added: "It's too far to go to Barden Lane. There's no bus route from here, and there's no way elderly people are going to walk that far."

Queensgate ward councillor Bill Bennett said: "If they close these libraries, it's another blow to us.

"They don't think about people like us who don't have cars.

"Barbon Street library is only in a Portacabin and it can't be costing that much to keep it open.

"Children learn there and develop there. Employers nowadays want educated youngsters who can use a computer.

"It's lunacy to lose it. We need these libraries."

The meeting will be at 6.30pm tomorrow at the Enterprise Centre, Rossendale Road, Burnley.

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