Plan to permanently close four libraries scrapped

Argyll and Bute Council said it was no longer considering plans to shut the libraries

Plans to permanently close four libraries in Argyll and Bute have been withdrawn.

The sites in Cardross, Tarbert, Tiree and Rosneath were under threat after being omitted from operator Live Argyll's business plan for 2025 to 2027.

But Argyll and Bute Council said it had been advised by the organisation that it no longer planned to shut any libraries.

Tiree Libray has been closed temporarily since November after the sole librarian assistant retired, while Rosneath is yet to be reopened following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tarbert Library is open on Thursdays and Fridays, while a petition with almost 700 names on it had opposed the planned closure of Cardross Library.

Argyll and Bute Council said: "Live Argyll had previously advised the council of proposals to close certain libraries in Argyll and Bute.

"The council would have required to consider whether there would remain an adequate library service in Argyll and Bute were these proposals to be implemented.

"Live Argyll has subsequently advised the council that they no longer have proposals to close libraries, so there is no issue for the council to consider."

Live Argyll has been approached for comment.

Tiree Community Council said consultation and information on the future of the island's library had been lacking.

A spokesperson said customers had been "forgotten".

They added: "We currently have no idea the future of our library.

"We have heard conflicting snippets second and third hand. We continue to hope in the dark."

Additional reporting by local democracy journalist Andrew Galloway.