A FREE community service, run by residents of a Darlington village, has been saved.
Residents of Hurworth were unhappy to hear their local ‘bus stop library’ on Church Row, near All Saints Church, would close.
Last Sunday (January 16), Councillor Lorraine Tostevin posted in the community Facebook group ‘Hurworth Live’ with news that the small library would close: “The Darlington Borough Council transport manager has been made aware that it is being used as a community book swap location and has advised that this cannot continue.
“The reason being that an active bus stop should be solely for use by intending passengers. “Having the shelter full of books and other items gives the impression it is not in use and also there is nowhere for these passengers to sit and shelter whilst waiting for the bus.
“So unfortunately this book swap facility will now be closed however, due to its success we will look for another suitable location.”
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This didn’t go down too well with residents, and they were more than happy to air their views:
Vicky Turnbull said: “There are many villages with bus stops that have a library in so not sure why they seem to think it’s not right. So sad as it’s lovely.”
John Howard said: “Bad move. Everyone knew it was there and worked around it.”
Louise Richmond said: “The bus stop has never seemed so clean and inviting.”
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On Monday, however, Councillor Tostevin posted an update into this group: “Following all the comments over the weekend I have spoken to the transport manager at Darlington Borough Council this morning and there is now an agreement that because it's an established community facility that the book swap facility can remain.
“The proviso is that the books are kept to one side of the bus shelter, so they are not directly visible from the road and that there is some space for intending travellers to sit if they wish to do so.”
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Councillor Tostevin told The Northern Echo: “This is a well-used community resource, and I am delighted that the residents now have the go-ahead from Darlington Borough Council for it to continue, on the proviso that some seating for intending passengers remains available.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Last week when we were made aware of the book swap, we tried to make contact with the organisers as it was affecting the use as a shelter for passengers. We’ve come to an agreement with the volunteers to keep half of the bus shelter free for passengers and so we are happy for it to remain and hope people continue to use it.”
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