Lib Dems secure £170,000 makeover for Llandaff North Library

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Jul 2007

Jacqui Hooper and Cllr. Ann Rowland-James have welcomed news that Cardiff's Lib Dem council is investing in improving Llandaff North Library.

Cardiff's Lib Dem council has outlined plans for over £170,000 of improvements to facilities at Llandaff North library on Gabalfa Avenue.

The library has been well used since it opened in the early 1970s, but has suffered after years of Labour neglect. Under the new plans, the whole building will now be decorated and new furniture and fittings provided. Other improvements include:

• Upgrading the entrance lobby

• Fitting new flooring throughout

• Creating a flexible community space and increasing the space open to the public

• Creating a new accessible WC

• Replacing furniture and shelving

The work is due to be carried out during the current financial year. It will be necessary for the library to be closed for 16 weeks during that time - but your Focus Team hopes the wait will be worth it!

Local Lib Dem councillor, Ann Rowland-James, said: "I'm delighted by the news. In particular, I am pleased about the new community space the facility will offer and hope it will be well-used by our local community."

Local resident, Jacqui Hooper, added: "This is great news for Llandaff North. Thanks to the Lib Dems, we will soon have a really modern facility in our area."

Cllr. Ann is also working to improve disabled access to Llandaff North's library.

The Llandaff North Focus Team are also pushing for better disabled access to the library building. At present, easy access is a problem because of steps (such as those pictured, left), but Cllr. Ann Rowland-James is working with the council to make easy disabled access a priority as part of the refurbishment. Ann told us: "Residents will know that I have long been campaigning for better disabled access in our area. The investment in the library is a good chance to ensure that the council take action on this sort of issue."

The move follows the Lib Dem's massive plan to invest £10 million to improve Cardiff's libraries. Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Culture & Leisure, said: "We are spending £4.6 million on the new Central Library, but we're also ensuring that branches such as Llandaff North get the investment they deserve."