High Court to rule on library closures in Brent on Thursday
Landmark case will set a precedent across the country
The outcome of a judicial review into whether Brent Council should close six of the borough’s libraries is expected this morning (Thursday).
The local authority wants to shut half the reading rooms to save �1 million. They are Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton.
Supporters have been campaigning against the closures since last year and took their case to the Royal Courts of Justice in July. If the judge votes in favour of keeping the libraries open it could set a precedent across the country.
The council has spent �70,000 of taxpayers’ money defending its decision.
Celebrities backing the campaign include musicians Nick Cave, Depeche Mode and Alison Goldfrapp and authors Jacqueline Wilson and Philip Pullman.
The hearing is expected at around 10am.
Most Read
- 1 Two dead in Maida Vale: Woman stabbed and man 'struck by vehicle'
- 2 'London’s smallest bus lane' earns Harrow Council £440,000
- 3 Man arrested on suspicion of murder following Maida Vale deaths
- 4 Teenager killed in Stonebridge after collision with a car
- 5 'London is lagging behind – protect yourself and others from Covid'
- 6 Teenager grabbed and pulled towards car in broad daylight
- 7 Brent LTN removal set to be financed from 'existing council budgets'
- 8 Residents lose appeal to save Brent leisure centre
- 9 Women attacked on way home from night out in Wembley
- 10 Wembley man who used child to sell drugs due in court
Margaret Bailey, who has been campaigning to save Kensal Rise, said: “Irrespective of the outcome I’m optimistic about the long term outcome.
“Whatever the outcome this is not the end.
“It does not end. We will fight on.”
The ruling is expected at 10am.
