Demands to speed up repairs on historic Willenhall Library

Diane Coughlan has hit out at the lack of progress at Willenhall Library on Walsall Street.

She says the work, which began around a month ago, is taking 'too long'.

Scaffolding went up around a month ago and the Labour councillor said not enough was being done to get the work completed.

She said a scanning machine in the library had suffered water damage because of the leak, which was likely to cost more money.

The councillor, who represents Willenhall South, has called on Walsall Council to ensure the work was completed as quickly as possible.

She said: "The scaffolding will have been up a month on Saturday. The problem is because they are not doing anything damage is being caused upstairs in the old council chamber.

"I'm almost certain it's locally listed.

"They were inefficient at getting something done earlier and now they are going to have to pay for the cost of the damage. The work is taking too long."

Councillor Coughlan said she was saddened to see the historic library building in its current state.

She said: "It all mouldy and the plaster is cracking.

"It's just a mess.

" For the people of Willenhall that's a historic building. It's our heritage and it's being allowed to go to rack and ruin."

She added: "The cost of small repairs has now probably ran into the thousands."

Walsall Council was unable to comment as to what was causing the delays.

Meanwhile, the future of seven Walsall libraries still remains in limbo as the power struggle for control of the council continues. The Conservatives, who previously ruled a minority administration, had tabled a budget which incurred closures to venues in Beechdale, Blakenhall, New Invention, Rushall, South Walsall, Walsall Wood and Pleck.

But it was voted down by opposition councillors and an alternative financial plan was put forward which saved the libraries. However the council's budget for the year has been put on hold until party leaders can agree on who will run the council.