A PETITION has been launched to save a closurethreatened library in Southampton.

Campaigners are calling on council leaders to halt a review of Burgess Road Library.

It is one of five facilities under threat of closing as part of the review, launched by Labour council bosses last year.

As reported in the Daily Echo, Southampton City Council has put forward plans for community groups to take over at the Cobbett Road, Millbrook, Weston, Thornhill and Burgess Road libraries.

So far, the petition has attracted more than 300 signatures. It comes after campaigners at Cobbett Road Library in Bitterne Park launched a petition signed by more than 1,600 people, including Hampshire wildlife expert Chris Packham, calling on the council to re-think its plans.

Burgess Road library is a major base for the Community Playlink charity which has a toy library there used by hundreds of parents in the area.

Bosses at Community Playlink already fear that their grant for this year will be slashed and the loss of Burgess Road Library which is the only public library in Southampton where people can loan toys would be a double blow.

They say they are already seeking an alternative venue in the city– but so far have not found one.

Community Playlink manager, Pam McCune, said: “We have absolutely no idea where to go if Burgess Road Library was to close down.

“It would be devastating and for us. It would be extremely awkward and we would have to find somewhere to put everything and find another location – but I think nowhere would be as popular. It would be a shame if Burgess Road Library were to close as it is very popular – even without us in there.”

• The petition can be found by visiting change.org.

• Consultation on the library service review ends on March 6. You can have your say online at southampton.gov.uk or by picking up paper copies at Southampton’s Civic Centre