'Disgusting': Fury at council decision to axe 10 libraries

TEN libraries will shut at the end of August under Caerphilly County Borough Council's controversial cost-cutting plans.

- NICHOLAS THOMAS

Supporters of the at-risk libraries in Caerphilly county had held out for a last-minute reprieve after backbench councillors called for any closures to be deferred.

But those hopes were dashed on May 14 when cabinet members pushed ahead with proposals.

Some members of the public shouted "disgusting" as they left the council chamber, while a trade union representative called the decision "devastating" and alleged that Labour, which controls the local authority, had "left the door wide open for Reform".

Libraries in Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Deri, Llanbradach, Machen, Nelson, Oakdale and Pengam will all shut down on August 31.

At the cabinet meeting, members heard an "impassioned" defence of libraries from Mariam Kamish, who urged them not to "take away" opportunities from young people and "their right to a future".