£1m library to end 20 years of Labour neglect

10.48.28am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Oct 2005

Heckmondwike is set to get a new library ending 20 years of neglect by Labour in Kirklees.The old town centre post office will be demolished to make way for a state-of-the art library and front line service point after Lib Dem Councillors voted for the proposal.

Kirklees Council Leader Kath Pinnock said "At long last after 20 years of neglect things are beginning to happen in Heckmondwike. We also have a new health centre on the way and we're going to try to restore the grandeur of Green Park. As well as this there are plans to improve traffic through the town and improve the bus facilities.

Cllr Tabasum Aslam, Liberal Democrat Member for Heckmondwike, says: "I have been campaigning on this issue for some time and I am delighted to see things finally taking shape. The new library and information centre that will be built on Northgate will add to the ongoing regeneration of Heckmondwike and the town centre".

Cllr Aslam says: "One of the problems with the existing library is that it isn't very accessible. As a valuable public resource, a library really needs to based in the centre of a community so that everyone has an equal chance to make use of the facilities otherwise some people miss out, usually those who most need to access the services on offer."

Cllr Aslam says: "The information centre will offer local people the opportunity to access a range of Council and Public Services in a single building, providing a place "down the road" where they will be able to turn, time-and-again, for help and information when they need it. This will, without question, be an extremely useful and popular development amongst residents."