A LEGAL challenge has been launched in a bid to stop the closure of 11 libraries in Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire County Council is now facing a judicial review as part of its library shake-up plans.

Public Interest Lawyers issued a claim to the High Court last Tuesday against the closure of 11 public libraries in the county.

Public Interest Lawyers say the council, along with Somerset County Council, is in breach of its statutory obligations and did not hold proper consultations.

In November last year, GCC announced plans to cut library services by 43 per cent as part of a bid to save £108million over the next four years.

Under the controversial proposals, 11 Gloucestershire libraries will close unless volunteers come forward to take them on, including Lechlade.

Fairford, Tetbury, Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh libraries will also be affected with both reduced stock and opening hours.

The lawyers have launched a challenge on three grounds. Firstly that GCC is in breach of its obligation under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide an "efficient and comprehensive library service°. Secondly that it did not pay due regard to its equality duties, meaning the effect of closing the libraries would have a big impact on "vulnerable members of society".

And thirdly, that the consultation process carried out by the councils was "insufficient", and the results were "ignored".

GCC leader Mark Hawthorne said: "It’s frustrating to be forced into a costly legal process in a difficult financial climate and when we are focusing on supporting the many communities working hard to make a success of running local services."

He added that GCC had received expressions of interest for every library offered for community transfer and that the council was working with the communities to aid the handover.

Nearly 15,000 people expressed their dismay of controversial plans to cut several of the county libraries by signing a petition organised by the Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries (FGL). The petition was submitted to Shire Hall earlier this year.

Johanna Anderson, chairman of FGL, said: "From the start of this campaign we have warned GCC that their plans for our library service may place them in breach of the law.

"We hope that the launch of this judicial review at last causes them to pause and rethink their plans, instead of continuing on this path of destruction of out public library service."