Cobbett Road Library is likely to escape with a cut to its opening hours of a sixth, rather than a half as had been feared, it has emerged following a cabinet meeting last night (Tuesday 23).

The latest council proposals for libraries are that hours should be cut by five a week, rather than 15 under the original plan.

Councillor Warwick Payne (pictured below), cabinet member for housing and leisure, told bitternepark.info: "We put forward the reduction in library hours with great reluctance in our initial budget because we had to plug a black hole of more than £25m.

"The figure has now reduced to nearer £20m, which means some services that were at risk can be saved, and I'm delighted to say that the library service will be amongst those that will receive more cash than initially planned.

"It is our intention to aim for the reduction in hours at libraries across the city to be nearer five hours per week rather than the initial proposal of 15 hours.

"In the case of Cobbett Road Library, this will mean the number of opening hours will no longer be reduced by around half, but closer to one sixth of the existing opening hours."

Rachel Hickman, secretary of Friends of Cobbett Road Library said: “We’re obviously pleased that the cuts to libraries will not be as severe, we’re also aware that more cuts will come and libraries still need protecting. Year upon year cuts, even if small will still lead to library closures, we need to protect our libraries for future generations. Use them or lose them. Thank you to the many people who have written to councillors and signed petitions.”