A LIBRARY 'damaged beyond economic repair' is set to be demolished within the next few weeks.

Work on the former Woodstock library building in Hensington Road is due to start in the week beginning September 16, but could be brought forward on surveyors' advice.

Issues with the walls were uncovered during routine inspections last year, with further surveys revealing the extent of the damage.

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Since then, the county council has been preparing the site for demolition and a cordon has already been established round the site to ensure public safety.

Oxfordshire County Council has planned to 'minimise the impact' on residents, but admitted there will be 'some disturbance from noise, dust and site vehicles'.

The council has not confirmed how long it will take to demolish the building, with the work originally set to take place in April.

Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, the council's cabinet member for education and cultural services, said: “As safety has to be our first consideration there is no alternative to demolishing the library building. I know there will be some disruption in the town during the site works.

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"We are doing everything we can to minimise that disruption and apologise for any inconvenience caused to residents, visitors and library users.

“We are determined, however, to ensure there is a permanent library in Woodstock, as well as making sure the temporary arrangements for the library in The Oxfordshire Museum, café and gardens work as well as possible."

The councillor confirmed a full library service will continue to be temporarily provided in The Oxfordshire Museum in Park Street.

The county council is responsible for a network of more than 43 libraries across Oxfordshire.