Dudley MP stages protest to save village library

Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley, said she would be staging a 'day of action' at Sedgley library tomorrow (Saturday), where she will be joined by Labour Party volunteers and members of the community.

The lease on the library and clinic building, in Ladies Walk, which was built under a private finance initiative scheme in 2001, is due to end next year.

Dudley Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley said both the authority and the local NHS were in talks with the landlord's agent about the future of the building. 

At a recent public meeting, attended by Miss Kumar, urged Dudley Council to look at either using compulsory purchase powers to buy the building, or to look at the options for extending the lease.

More than 500 people have signed a petition organised by Miss Kumar, who will be staging the protest outside the building at 12:30pm.

During last months community forum, residents asked whether the building would be knocked down for housing, and where services would be relocated to. Miss Kumar said the hub was vital, providing essential health services, community support, and access to the library all under one roof.

She said: “Sedgley’s message is loud and clear, this centre matters. 

“Following the community forum, I’m even more determined to make sure these valued services are not lost. 

“Whether it’s access to healthcare, library resources, or a community space, the Ladies Walk Centre plays a vital role in people’s lives.

"I will continue to stand with Sedgley residents every step of the way. Together, we’re showing just how much our community values and needs these services.”

Councillor Harley said both the council and the local NHS were doing all they could to maintain library and health services in Sedgley.

“We are exploring three options and would prefer for the facilities to remain at Ladies Walk," he said.

“We are currently in talks with the landlord’s agent to ascertain the viability of that.

“Failing that, we will be looking to secure a building in Sedgley for the library to move to. We will continue talking to our health partners about the possibility of co-location and co-operation to this end.

“We do not have any definitive answers or timescales at the moment but can assure residents we are doing all we can to resolve this. We will keep them informed every step of the way.”

Miss Kumar urged residents to share their thoughts by emailing her at sonia.kumar.mp@parliament.uk.