Blackheath Library almost complete

Work at the new £1.9million Blackheath Library is almost complete with a New Year opening date planned.

The development is set to transform the landscape of Blackheath.

It will provide new library facilities as well as new offices for Black Country Housing Group. Construction work started in February and is expected to be completed in December.

Councillor Ann Shackleton, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for youth, culture and leisure, said: "Work is progressing very well on the new Blackheath Library.

"It is on schedule to open early in the new year as planned. The majority of the main structure is now in place and work on the interior library and office space is also progressing well.

"This is a joint project between Sandwell Council and the Black Country Housing Group, creating an eco-friendly, modern library facility for the 21st century that will have a huge range of benefits to the local community."

The plans for the new library in Carnegie Road included flattening the former Neville Gee hair salon and Salvation Army shop.

The scheme was originally approved by Sandwell Council planners, but a public inquiry was ordered by the Secretary of State after owners of the two affected businesses appealed against compulsory purchase orders.

The public inquiry was scrapped before it started last January, as both businesses withdrew objections after reaching financial agreements with the council.

Libraries across Sandwell have benefited from millions of pounds if investment in recent months.

Oldbury's new £6million library and office complex is nearing completion and set to be handed over to Sandwell Council within weeks.

Jack Judge House is being built on the site of the old Oldbury bus station in Halesowen Street.

It will house around 300 council staff across two floors above 4,306 sq ft of library space.

The new Great Bridge Library re-opened in July, following an eight month £750,000 refurbishment.

Bleakhouse Library in Oldbury also benefited from a refurbishment, with a £400,000 refit carried out last year.