ABERSYCHAN library is to be axed despite a petition to save it, and after a plea from local councillors and Torfaen MP Paul Murphy fell on deaf ears.

The decision was made at a full council meeting this week where it was heard the closure is necessary to contribute to £114,000 of savings from the leisure, libraries and arts budget.

At the meeting Nicola Leek from Talywain presented a 707-name petition to the council for consideration and read a statement calling for further public consultation.

After the decision she said: “The children who use the library every week will be devastated.

“The whole point of it to me is to have a building where people can go - the mobile library is cold and uninviting.

“To be honest I think that it had already been decided beforehand and they weren’t really willing to make a compromise with us.

“All we were initially asking for was to consult with us about how we could improve it and get more people in.”

Student Rosa Carton, 25, regularly uses the library to study while her two-year-old daughter Saoirse reads books and uses the toys.

Ms Carton said: “The library was always useful for me and I’m very upset that they’ve decided to close it.

“I will continue to use the library service in Pontypool but I’ll miss having the service in the heart of our community.”

A proposed ammendment to the budget to save the library was put forward by Councillor Gwyneira Clark and seconded by Councillor Wayne Tomlinson both of the Abersychan ward - but despite support from 11 other councillors this was overturned.

Speaking against the amendment Councillor Richard Clark said: “If we changed the proposed budget all we would be doing is delaying the closure of the library and that would give people false hope.”

The proposal to close Abersychan Library was suggested as it accounts for only five per cent of library use in Torfaen. The council is now planning to increase mobile library services in the area.

Before yesterday's meeting Torfaen MP Paul Murphy said: “I would ask the Council to take another look at the future of Abersychan Library.

“I understand that money is tight and that these proposals have not been made lightly. However, a close look needs to be taken to see what can be done to preserve library services in the area before any proposals go ahead. As The Free Press pointed out, perhaps this could involve harnessing some of the enthusiasm of the local community to help provide a service or boost income.”