A new action group to fight against the relocation of Strood library to the High Street rallied outside the council offices. Banner-waving protesters converged on the civic centre at Gun Wharf in Chatham to vent their anger yesterday. They claim councillors have ignored their 5,000 signature petition and demonstrations at council meetings to discuss the scheme to move the library from Bryant Road to the newly-created community hub. The decision has forced the previous tenant Strood Community Project’s charity shop, to look for an alternative premises. Marion Shoard, a Strood resident, writer and lecturer, said: “We have a superb library. Losing the library and the community project is a double act of vandalism.” Kim West, community project manager, accused the council of rushing through the plan without proper public consultation. She said: “An outstanding charity shop with a footfall of over 300 people per day, providing support for vulnerable people, has been brushed aside, in favour of the policy to develop community hubs.” The new one-stop shop will accommodate all the services at the existing purpose-built library as well as those currently provided at the Civic Centre annexe.!!?? Cllr Jane Chitty, who is in charge of economic development, said: “The opening of the Strood community hub in this central location will bring more people into the High Street offering a real boost to local shops and businesses. BUT WE DONT WANT IT NOR THE SCHOOLS OR NURSERIES “Strood is already bucking the trend for the High Street with a great mix of independent shops and cafes, the big food chains, including the recently-opened Aldi store and bustling weekly markets.” ESTATE AGENTS NAIL BARS BANKS AND SPEAK TO MARKET TRADERS THEY STRUGGLE AS NO ONE COMES TO STROOD - 19/02/2014 19:11:35 scorpioman wrote: They are Torys who think we are here to serve them!! Next year we get a vote, just make sure these disgraceful examples of all that is wrong with our political system are confined to history forever, they must never be allowed back in NEVER +1ReplyReport Abuse 19/02/2014 16:10:29 CuppaTease wrote: Why cant they have a community hub in the current building? If its for the community then why are they making it inaccessible to so many (putting it on a busy main road and not within walking distance to the schools and playgroups that currently use it) and why are they taking away the community charity shop? It will not make me shop at in Strood High Street more, it just means that myself and my young son will be able to use the library a lot less, as there is no free parking and its not within safe walking distance for my son from our home. I also dont have the money and dont want to go shopping every time I want to read my son a new book. Ive been telling everyone about this move and not one person has been in favour of it. Im also totally disgusted the way the Stood Community Project shop has been treated. The whole thing skinks, and I for one will not take it laying down! I will be joining many others outside the Council meeting at St Georges Centre Chatham on Thursday at 6pm, and urge others to do the same and/or look at the Save Strood Library Facebook group for other ways to stop this. +5ReplyReport Abuse 19/02/2014 10:51:27 elivir wrote: I can only echo the views expressed about Strood High Street. Narrow pavements, and more estate agents than you can shake a stick at. Very busy roads and difficult to drive round and park. Hardly conducive to visiting the library! Strood library couldnt be more different, and is very close to the High Street. I would encourage all those who agree with the views expressed here to join the campaign, starting with a lobby of the Council meeting at St Georges Centre Chatham on Thursday evening. Campaigners are meeting outside at 6pm. Dont just put up with community spaces being ruined. Fight!!! +11ReplyReport Abuse 19/02/2014 08:51:08 Junius wrote: This web report statesThe new one-stop shop will accommodate all the services at the existing purpose-built library as well as those currently provided at the Civic Centre annexe. This appears to be incorrect and not factual. As was stated at the Peoples Forum in Rochester, there is a real fear that a new Strood Library will become like the existing Chatham Library when it migrated from its temporary, falling down library on Riverside. Chatham library is a pale shadow of the previous offer. Strood High Street has one of the highest recorded incidences of air pollution in Medway. Council Information points do not mix with family and child friendly libraries. +18ReplyReport Abuse 19/02/2014 08:16:28 kimsw wrote: Jane chittys remarks what on earth where is she visiting, she is fully aware of views of residents and the retail forum who do not want this. Independent shops !! nail bars, estate agents, banks they are hardly any independent retail premises and the Market sadly is really struggling like all comments that have been cited by Councillors its a load of lies. Incidentally we have not seen her at any public meetings she has been invited too or at the scrutiny meeting think she has gone into hiding since the slow clapping at the full council meeting +16ReplyReport Abuse 18/02/2014 21:01:22 bri365 wrote: suggestion to Cllr Chitty, next time you drive through Strood High Street, open your eyes. How does 3 nail bars and half a dozen estate agents make it a great mix of independent shops. Leave the bloody library alone. If comments on here are anything to go by, you and your CONservative counterparts will not be in charge of the council come the next local election. +23ReplyReport Abuse 18/02/2014 17:34:33 john paul wrote: Could not not agree more with all other comments and certainly think 4truth has the right idea, next election vote to get this conservative administration out and keep them out. They are absolutely out of touch with public opinion when they do consult the results are ignored another example of not listening, Rochester Airport Masterplan. +25ReplyReport Abuse 18/02/2014 13:58:57 Cuddlybear wrote: This Conservative Council wanted to run the Medway Towns. They are RUINING it instead! Will they ever listen to what the public want? They, the Council, are arrogant to the extreme. +28ReplyReport Abuse 18/02/2014 11:15:58 4truth wrote: The Strood campaigners are not only fighting for their community but democracy as a whole. This Conservative administration is arrogant in its defiance of public opinion. It doesnt listen, is shamefully uncaring and I personally hope all the Medway Conservative Councillors lose their seats in the next election. ......Whatever your preference vote Labour, Lib Dem, UKIP, Green Party or independent but NOT Conservative unless you like being walked over. +38ReplyReport Abuse
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 21:11:59 +0000
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