Portsmouth: First tuk-tuk mobile library rolls into city

Council leader Steve Pitt said residents would never be too far from a library thanks to the scheme

The first of two tuk-tuk libraries has arrived in Portsmouth thanks to £100,000 Arts Council funding.

The city council invested in the electric vehicles as part of an initiative to promote local authority services and provide books in areas without a library.

The bright blue and orange mobile libraries will be seen roaming throughout the city .

Each Tuk-tuk has a collection of books for residents to borrow.

The vehicles designed by Piaggio Ape have been refurbished by Tukxi, a company in Devon.

Dave Percival, the manager of Portsmouth City Council's libraries and archive services, said: "We have waited quite a while for these vehicles to be designed and manufactured as it's not like going to your local car dealer.

"They are real labours of love, and the conversions are done by a very small team.

"It's got special shelving so we can put on displays or we can do book shelving or display leaflets - it's sustainable and environmentally friendly."

The council plans to take the tuk-tuks to high streets and parks across the city.

Councillor Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: "I'm pleased to see the first of our library tuk-tuks arrive.

"This is a really exciting development, as the two vehicles will complement the mobile service, meaning our residents are never too far away from their libraries."

The council received the money from the second round of the Art Council's Libraries Improvement Fund.

The remaining money will be used to fund new meeting spaces and office pods at Central and North End libraries.

The fund was open to library services throughout England, encouraging applications for financial support to enhance buildings and technology for various projects.

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