Chirk library hours reduced due to council cuts

Councillors in Chirk said although the reduced hours at the town's library was unfortunate, they were relieved it was safe from closure for the moment.

Libraries in Wrexham County Borough at Brymbo and Gresford are to likely to shut, while all others will have opening hours cut by an average of 19 per cent.

Councillor Terry Evans, one of Chirk's borough councillors, said council chiefs were facing tough decisions due to unprecedented cuts. He said: "It is unfortunate to cut the hours at the libraries but at least Chirk is still staying open at the moment.

"We will have to keep an eye on it because more cuts will be on the horizon. They are talking about cuts of about £13 million or £14 million a year."

Councillor Evans said no service appeared to be safe from cuts and he questioned whether it was time to look again at the cost of having a mayor for the borough.

He said: "I am not at all against having a mayor but, when we are looking at cutting back so much everywhere else, we need to look at that as well.

"They are talking about shutting Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, near Ruabon, which is well used, so they should also be looking at the mayoralty."

Councillor Evans said he was hopeful Chirk Leisure Centre would be spared the worst effects of the cuts.

He said: "It is one of the best-used in the area and it seems to be okay at the moment but, again, they are looking at everything."

The library opening hours cut comes less than two years after Chirk Library underwent a £120,000 refit.