A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to slash 78.5 hours off library opening times across Worcestershire has been scaled back, it has emerged.

Worcestershire County Council's Conservative leadership has decided to reduce the cutbacks to 55 hours a week after it faced criticism during a consultation.

The Worcester News revealed back in April how County Hall had hatched a plan to shave opening hours off 17 different sites as part of a fresh plan to save £1 million.

But after an outcry among some politicians, 23.5 hours will be 'added' back into the mix, saving several key libraries from unpopular changes.

It also means late-evening openings have been saved at some libraries like St John's, while Malvern, Pershore and Stourport's reductions will be less than expected.

The move has been revealed by Conservative Councillor Lucy Hodgson, the cabinet member for localism and communities, who said the changes showed she had "listened carefully".

It has also attracted praise from some Labour politicians, who had lined up to criticise the previous set of proposals.

Councillor Hodgson said: "When we first looked at the reductions, the proposal was to take around 78 hours off the library opening times, but following the comments made the reductions have been dropped to 55 hours.

"That's a direct consequence of the feedback we've had."

The decision, set to kick in from August, drew some praise during a meeting of the corporate and communities overview and scrutiny panel yesterday.

Labour Councillor Robin Lunn said: "It's one of those situations where it's vitally important to consult with the public - it matters to a lot of people.

"I'm pleased that you have listened to what me and a lot of my colleagues have said."

St John's Library will open until 6pm on Tuesdays, and carry on opening from 9am during the week due to what County Hall calls "high numbers" of morning visitors.

Elsewhere, Malvern Library was one of the apparent winners, opening until 7pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and staying accessible from 7-8pm for adult learning sessions and other group bookings.

But the other cuts will still go ahead there, meaning it will close at 5pm on Monday, Thursday and Friday and 4pm on Saturday.

A county council report says a "significant amount" of working people and parents had handed bosses "negative feedback" on the initial set of Malvern Library changes, many citing the now-abandoned evening cuts.

Pershore Library has avoided any cuts whatsoever, while Stourport will lose some of its planned reductions but retain the Saturday 9am-4pm opening after a u-turn.

Elsewhere cuts to opening hours at libraries in Bewdley, Broadway, Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Tenbury and Upton will go ahead as planned.

* SPECIAL REPORT: Opening hours face the chop at 17 different Worcestershire libraries in £1m cutbacks