Devon mobile libraries axed despite celebrity backing

Devon County Council has decided to cut the mobile library service

A hugely controversial plan to axe a mobile library service is going ahead.

Devon County Council's cabinet previously voted to get rid of the service in July but a campaign backed by writers Stephen Fry, Michael Rosen and Michael Morpurgo won a reprieve.

After further analysis of costs officers at Devon County Council recommended "decommissioning" the service by February 2024.

The Conservative cabinet unanimously approved the plan on Wednesday.

Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin campaigned against the plan to axe mobile library services

Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, a Liberal Democrat councillor on Torridge District Council, launched a petition to save the service.

She said: "We all feel angry and disappointed.

"It will have a huge impact and I don't think they fully recognise the knock-on effects on our rural communities.

"For many people this is the last remaining service they have."

Ms Cottle-Hunkin said the campaign to save the service had enjoyed "overwhelming support" over the last few months "which makes it even more upsetting that the council has decided to go ahead".

'Very disappointed'

Angelina Baker, from Sheepwash, near Hatherleigh, said she had used the mobile library service for 30 years.

"There are lots of elderly and disabled people who will not be able to access static libraries," she said.

John Smith, a parish councillor from Coldridge who attended the meeting, said he was "very disappointed" for people in Coldridge who would lose a service "which has been a lifeline for them".

The report presented to cabinet said the mobile library fleet was "close to becoming obsolete given the age of the vehicles" and provided "an increasingly unreliable and patchy experience for residents".

The report said the "significant investment" for new vehicles was "simply not available from the council's existing budget".

Roger Croad is the cabinet member responsible for libraries

Roger Croad, the county council cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said it was "a sad day" but "the fact of the matter is the mobile library service is in serious decline".

He said it would cost more than £630,000 to replace the four mobile library vehicles and added: "Quite frankly, we can't afford it."

Mr Croad said there were several other ways of sharing books such as a home library service and the use of community libraries.

"The mobile library service has been a boon over the last 50 or 60 years but it's seen its day," he said.

"Quite clearly the digital age is upon us and we want everyone to get involved with that rather than have aged, lumbering vehicles trundling through the countryside."