A 86-year-old partially sighted woman who struggles to walk long distances, will have to travel over a mile to use a library.
Dorothy Miller has lived in Grangetown for most of her life and regularly uses the library on Havelock Place. But Grangetown library will be closing for building work on 7 March. Cardiff Council estimates the work will take up to six months and will transform the library into a bigger hub, offering a range of new services to the residents of Grangetown.
But for Mrs Miller those six months are going to be hard. She says: “I’m partially sighted and I rely on the audio books so it means I have to go all the way to Canton or go into town.”
Canton library is 1.1 miles away from Mrs Miller’s house on Wynnstay Close, more than 20 minutes walk for someone walking at an average pace.“I’ll have to go by bus, it’s terrible for me. I’m just getting over a broken leg and I can just about walk,” she said.
The library development is part of the Grangetown Regeneration Programme, which the council says: “has the aim of revitalising the social and economic heart of the community.”
The scheme also include plans to redevelop the old tram shed and the regeneration of the Clare Road, Penarth Road and Corporation Road junction.
Mrs Miller said: “It doesn’t make any difference to me, as long as the library is there. I rely on it, really it’s my lifeline. I couldn’t do without audio books, I really couldn’t.”
Grangetwon library and Grangetown councillors have not responded to the issue.
