3,000 sign library petition

CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a 2 million book and music library project in Lewes are to again challenge East Sussex County Council s decision to axe it.

Public petitions bearing 3,000 signatures will be presented by Cllr Mary Macpherson to the council when it meets on Tuesday.

Leaders of the Let s Build It campaign will also seek information from the council supporting their claim that there will be very little cost difference, if any, between building the new library for the long term, or patching up the two old dilapidated libraries for the short term.

Lewes Library Friends will ask the council what plans it has to resolve the problems at the existing libraries,if the new one is not built, and what will be the cost? The Friends have said they are willing to raise funds for the project and they will be asking what commitment the county council is prepared to give in return. Supporters will lobby councillors to put the library back into their capital programme. It was scrapped after 20 years of planning.

The campaign has the backing of Lord Briggs of Lewes who has become their patron.