"THIRD WAY NO WAY" SAYS LIBRARY CAMPAIGNER

04-07-2008

The chief campaigner against the demolition of Birmingham Central Library has distanced himself from calls for the Culture Secretary to delay a decision on listing the building. Alan Clawley warns this would allow it to deteriorate even further.

We reported yesterday that Stirrer reader John Lish had written to Margaret Hodge asking her to refer the decision back to the City Council and order them to engage in a wider public debate – the so-called “Third Way” (see link here).

Clawley, who speaks for the Friends of the Central Library, said “Third way, no way.

"At first sight John Lish's suggestion seems very sensible, but we can't agree with it because it would give the City Council even more time than they have already had to neglect what has been now acknowledged for a second time by English Heritage as a building of architectural and historic importance.

"We will be arguing that the time for a public debate about Paradise Circus should be after it has been listed and when genuine plans for the so-called regeneration of Pradise Circus are on the table for us all to see.

"As John Lish rightly says, we could be waiting some time for them."

Meanwhile Birmingham Council has announced the short-list of contractors for the new £193 million library in Centenary Square, due to open in 2013.

The trio are Carillion, Laing O’Rourke and McAlpine.

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