1,600 sign petition to save Dudley library and clinic ahead of public meeting

Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley, presented the petition to save the Ladies Walk Centre in Sedgley to Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

The future of the building will also be discussed at a public meeting in the village tomorrow night (Wednesday).

The lease on the building, which houses Sedgley Library and Sedgley Health Centre, is due to end next year. 

It was built under a private finance initiative deal, replacing a previous council-owned library and clinic on the site, and was opened by former cabinet minister Jacqui Smith.

Miss Kumar, who raised the issue in the House of Commons last week, has called on Dudley Council to either buy the building or extend the lease. 

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said the authority was in talks with the owner of the building, but was also looking for alternative sites if an agreement could not be reached.

A public meeting organised by Dudley Council Healthy Communities Team will be held at All Saints' Church, from 6.30pm to 8pm tomorrow.

Miss Kumar, who worked as a physiotherapist before being elected to parliament last year, said she was determined to save all essential NHS services in Dudley borough.

"Sedgley’s message is loud and clear, this centre matters," she said.

"And after the closure of Concord Market recently it is even more important to save this building, which provides dual services for the people of Sedgley 

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

Councillor Harley said the authority was looking at three possible options, but the preferred one was to retain the services at the existing site.

Tickets for the meeting are available free of charge through the website https://allevents.in/dudley/sedgley-library-and-ladies-walk-clinic-public-meeting-tickets/80002458826657