Library opening hours are to be returned to normal after a council u-turn.

In 2011 opening hours at West Barnes library and Donald Hope library in Colliers Wood were cut by Merton Council.

But now Donald Hope will re-open on Fridays between 9.30am and 7pm and volunteers, who have managed to keep West Barnes open on Mondays will now get assistance.

A recent Public Library User Survey reported a 20 percent decrease in satisfaction with opening hours at Donald Hope library.

Councillor Samantha George, Conservative opposition spokeswoman for Leisure and Culture, said: "It's taken two years of campaigning by residents and Conservative councillors but I'm relieved that Labour have finally now listened to sense.

"I would like to pay particular tribute to the two Friends groups who have worked so hard to protect these valued assets for the local community and who stepped into the breach when faced with Labour’s misguided library cuts."

Councillor Nick Draper, cabinet member for community and culture said: “Our libraries are open for longer hours now than at any other point in the past 10 years.
 
"All our libraries have seen an increase in opening hours and we now have an award winning library service with customer satisfaction in the top five in London – a tremendous achievement.”
 

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