Lib Dem councillors in Wood Green have expressed dismay that Haringey’s Labour run council is not putting safety first at one of its libraries. The complaint follows a written answer at last night’s full council which revealed that Alexandra Palace library had provided an additional room on its first floor for public use before a health and safety assessment report has been received or a fire risk assessment had been carried out.

The news follows the replacement of the library’s reading room with an I.T. room in October this year. Previous council surveys had recommended that work was required to bring the staircase up to the standard of current building regulations, and a recent audit also identified that work was required to improve a means of escape from the first floor in event of fire.

Local Lib Dem councillor Wayne Hoban also says that although a wall-mounted heater which at present impedes access to the fire exit can be moved without capital expenditure, this has not yet been done, meaning that people with a mobility impairment are currently at risk – even according to the council’s own assessment.

Lib Dem councillor for Alexandra ward, Wayne Hoban, comments:

“It is absolutely clear that the council is taking risks with public safety at Alexandra Park Library. This is completely unacceptable. Public safety must take priority. The council should make the urgent safety improvements or stop public access to the first floor for the time being.”