Support for

library staff

CONCERNS over the way the crisis in Cornwall's library system, which has brought about redundancies, has been handled has led to Liskeard library supporters contacting the county council.

The Friends of Liskeard Library (FOLLY) have written to the county's chief executive, Peter Davies, pointing out that 'redundancy does not seem the best reward for those who have worked long and hard for the library service.' They have also asked if the results of a second review of the crisis will be made available to the public.

In the letter FOLLY secretary, Jenny Jones, said: 'We also understand that library staff only heard of this second review from the Internet rather than being notified in advance internally. Is this the case and, if so, doesn't this point to a lack of internal communication which can only cause already demoralized staff more concern?'

Last week a day of action was called for following county proposals for a restructuring of the library service which will cause 32 redundancies.

The proposals resulted from a massive overspend of more than £800,000 in this year's budget. Members of the South West branch of Unison, working in the library service, called for the day of action to take place on December 12, when the county council meeting will be lobbied.

The letter, copies of which has been sent to local MP Colin Breed, Liskeard town council and local county councillors including George Hocking, Mike Gillbard and Tony Powell, concludes: 'We understand that library staff have been balloted on strike action. Whether or not this action goes ahead, doesn't this reflect the fact that in dealing with this crisis the council has not given the staff the support they require at this difficult time?'

New Year

bonfire

plans in

jeopardy

REPEATED arson attacks in Looe over the last few weeks have put plans for a bonfire on the beach on New Year's Eve, a popular feature of last year's celebrations, in jeopardy.

The trouble first began on bonfire night, when after the town's celebrations, well organised by the Liskeard/Looe Round Table, and a looked forward to event, arsonists struck, setting light to toilets and some property belonging to East Looe Town Trust, on the seafront.

Since then there have been more than ten incidents of toilets, mainly on the seafront and next to the Guildhall, being set on fire.

Fears for the safety of the public and property have led to East Looe Town Trustees expressing some concern over whether there should be a bonfire on the beach, which is owned by the Trust.

In light of this, Trust chairman, Don Webb, is appealing to everyone to be vigilant.

'We want everyone to enjoy themselves in safety, and providing all this nonsense stops, which is perpetrated by a few, we are hoping the majority will be able to enjoy the bonfire' he said.

Councillor Colin Shore is the co-ordinator of the bonfire and fireworks display for December 31, with the help of the Trust.

Top tunnel expert to

help Saltash

A CALL for help to be given to traders in Saltash, when works start on renovating the Saltash tunnel, has been made by the chairman of the town's Chamber of Commerce.

Bob Frost was speaking at a public meeting, held to discuss the scheme of work for the tunnel - when those attending were told an international tunnel expert is to be called in to give advice. Mr Frost asked for some relief for the town, such as Liskeard was given in the form of free parking during their refurbishment work.

At the meeting, held at the Guildhall, Nigel Dyson, South West Highways project sponsor, said the multi million pound tunnel scheme is expected to begin in 2002 after the Tamar Bridge works are finished. Mr Dyson said they wished to improve the drainage system and visibility in the tunnel, opened in l988, and give a better aspect for all who drive through. He added that ceramic steel plate would line the tunnel, and said it is expected one lane only would remain open during the work for safety reasons.

He explained: 'We are not proud of this tunnel as it is at present, and there is a lot of work to be done. We are getting an international tunnelling expert to advise on the project.'

County Highways area surveyor, Steve Ewing, said 2,000 vehicles an hour would be using the diversion routes, and various methods will be used to keep the traffic flowing in New Road, North Road and Callington Road. It is expected that traffic lights would be brought into use at the bottom of North Road, with no waiting signs at the eastern end of Callington Road.

The meeting was chaired by the mayor, Bryan Preston, who said he had recently returned from Italy where he had travelled through a number of tunnels, none of which had shown any cracks or wet interiors.