A PETITION has been launched to protect a library that campaigners believe is earmarked for closure.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is looking at a wide variety of money saving ideas and programmes as it continues to attempt to balance its books but maintains there are no plans to close any libraries.

However, the potential changes to Laburnum library in Redcar has resulted in a former councillor opening an online petition.

Mark Hannon, who was deselected by the Labour party before last year’s local elections, said: “The library is vital to the local community and is much used by residents of Zetland and West Dyke wards, which has a large number of elderly residents who live in walking distance. The library is an essential community base of which there is very few if any in the Redcar East area.”

The measure is among ideas being considered by councillors under the council’s “Shaping Our Future” programme which means the council is looking for £25.6m of savings by 2019-20, including £16.4m in 2017/18.

And Liberal Democrat leader and Zetland ward member has branded the potential loss as ‘not acceptable’. He said: “It is a regrettable reality that the council must make considerable savings in the coming years, which will ultimately result in a reduction of service provision. However, the closure of a vital, much-used and highly-valued community asset such as Laburnum Road Library is not acceptable.

“I have already begun negotiations with the council leadership team and launched a petition against the proposals.”

Cllr Christopher Massey, cabinet member for corporate resources, said there was no plan to close any library in the borough.

He said: “The Council continues to work through options around its library provision across the Borough. We value our libraries highly but are equally cognisant of the need to create a more efficient service. We are trying our utmost to minimise the impact of government cuts on local services and are currently reflecting upon the feedback which we have received from local members before bringing proposals on the service to our Cabinet meeting in December.

“It must be stressed that the Council is not looking to close the library in this, or any other, area.”

Other proposals that could be part of the costcutting exercise include the switching off of all street lights between 1am and 5am, except for dangerous junctions and bends, to save £370,000.

Anyone wanting to sign the petition should visit www.change.org