Entrance to library will be reworked

The new entrance to a Black Country library is being rebuilt – just weeks after it was constructed.

Dudley Council has ordered workers to adapt the newly-completed entrance to Kingswinford Library, High Street, because of design problems.

A set of steps, railings and an access ramp were constructed at the library as part of a £621,000 revamp, which began nine-months ago. Now council bosses say difficulties in complying with disabled access regulations mean parts of the entrance must be redone.

Concerned resident Bernard Sumner, of Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, contacted the Express & Star to express his 'disgust' at the need for extra work to be carried out.

"The cost of remodelling the entrance steps is utterly disgusting and a frivolous use of public money," he said.

"It could have been put to far better use such as restocking the bookshelves or paying for visiting poets and authors to appear for public benefit."

Mr Sumner says the entrance was in a serviceable condition when it was first built and did not need to be altered.

"What effect are these council chiefs trying to achieve?" he added.

"This is a branch library, not the Bodleian Library at Oxford University. I doubt that the steps will ever pay host to international dignitaries - more likely skateboarding youths and drunks eating chips."

Councillor Lynn Boleyn, who represents the Kingswinford North and Wall Heath wards, believes residents have been 'badly let down' by the need to re-construct the library's entrance.

She also claims residents were assured works on the library would be fully completed before the Wall Heath branch closed.

Council spokesman Phil Parker said: "Work is being carried out on the entrance steps and ramps to ensure all requirements for people with disabilities are met. We apologise for the inconvenience while this work is carried out."