The council tried to dismantle it last week but was stopped by residents
By Victoria Munro

A local family using the popular free library (credit: Sean Kelly)

A free children’s library built during lockdown in a Walthamstow street has got to go, insists Waltham Forest Council.

The library in Northcote Road was built during the first lockdown and has delighted local families for two years, with children using it regularly on the way to the nearby nursery.

However, following complaints it attracts “antisocial behaviour”, council workers arrived last week to dismantle the library, only to be rebuffed by local residents.

The council insists it still needs to be removed – or at least transferred to a private garden – while residents argue it has helped bring the community together during a difficult time.

The free library was built two years ago in the first lockdown (credit: Sean Kelly)

Nat Frogley, who lives around the corner, told the Echo his eldest son “stopped to borrow books lots and lots of times” on the way to nursery, adding he “would often see other families stopping there too”.

He said: “It was really lovely for him. Now our youngest son is at nursery and coming up to the age where he would start to benefit as well and he won’t be able to.

“It’s really disappointing. We’ve not heard of any untoward goings-on as a result of it being here so it comes as a bit of a surprise that anybody would complain about it.

“It’s hard to reconcile our experience with complaints of antisocial behaviour because, to us, it very visibly promoted social behaviour.

“I think it’s a shame there was no consultation [before the council took this decision], it seems a bit like someone can just phone up and complain and, whether the majority agree or not, it’s gone.”

(Credit: Sean Kelly)

Northcote Road resident James Cattel added that the council’s crackdown seemed part of a larger pattern of making it “exceptionally difficult” to do things in the area.

He added: “It’s really changed the mood of an area I always saw as having a real community spirit.

“What’s ironic is the library is next to a car that has been smashed up for the last three weeks; that stays there with no sign of them moving it and yet they are intent on moving a children’s library. It seems a bit unnecessary.”

For the moment, the library remains on the street but the council has made it clear that its days are numbered.

When contacted for comment, deputy leader Clyde Loakes said: “We are pleased that the community recognises the importance of reading and books.

“Unfortunately the library on Northcote Road has been set up without permission from the highways department and is not part of the official Little Free Library scheme.

“We have also received reports of antisocial behaviour including drinking, drug-taking, and noise disturbances at night.

“We have advised residents that the current structure should be moved into a private garden.

“We are happy to work with residents to ensure any future library exchange in this location does not obstruct the pavement and is set up through the proper channels.”

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