CAMPAIGNERS in Lincolnshire won a major High Court battle yesterday to prevent cuts to library services.

After a two-day hearing, Mr Justice Collins ruled that Lincolnshire County Council’s decision to shut or reduce services at 32 of its 47 libraries in a bid to save £2 million was legally flawed. 

Quashing the council’s decision, Mr Justice Collins said that “the means by which the council reached its decision was flawed in two respects.”

He ordered the council to reconsider the future of its libraries and ruled that its public consultation exercise had been flawed and that the authority had failed to properly deal with an alternative proposal.

The Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign had collected a petition containing 23,000 signatures rejecting the council’s plans.

Spokesman John Hough said: “This is a historic day for the people of Lincolnshire.

“In their tens of thousands they have refused to bow down to the arrogant and unyielding power of the county council.

“We hope this decision will mean that people throughout Lincolnshire will continue to be able to access a properly run library service which will continue to be run by experienced staff, supported by volunteers.”

Simon Draper, who headed the legal challenge, is a carer for his wife, who uses a wheelchair.

He and other witnesses gave evidence that the council’s proposals would have disproportionately affected  elderly and disabled people, lone parents and socially disadvantaged people.

A spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council said the authority was disappointed by the decision.

“We believe that our proposals would have increased library provision in the county while also making substantial savings,” he said.