Shortlands Library to stay shut for years after asbestos and sinkhole found
Bromley Council will remove two large trees causing subsidence before repairs can begin this autumn
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Shortlands Library in Bromley will not reopen for months or possibly years after Bromley Council confirmed asbestos and a sinkhole inside the building. The library, at 110 Shortlands Road, has been closed since January when cracks appeared in a rear wall. It is currently operating from a temporary site inside St Mary’s Church on Kingswood Road.
Trees caused subsidence, council says
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Bromley Council said the damage was caused by two large trees in front of the library. A council spokesperson told the *Evening Standard* that the trees had led to subsidence, cracking walls and creating a sinkhole in the floor. Asbestos was also found in the affected areas.
The trees will be removed in stages to avoid damaging nearby properties. The council said work cannot start until autumn to protect nesting wildlife. Once the trees are gone, the building will need repairs and refurbishment before it can reopen.
Temporary site to be improved
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While the main library remains closed, Bromley Council plans to improve the temporary site at St Mary’s Church. The council said it will create a better library space there, though no details of the upgrades have been released.
Before repairs begin, the council will decant the Shortlands Road site. An air test will check for asbestos particles. If none are found, books, equipment and other materials will be removed and stored for reuse elsewhere.
Long-term future unclear
Bromley Council is considering all options for the library’s future, including finding a new permanent location in Shortlands. No decision has been made, and the council has not set a timeline for when residents will know more.
Residents will not be able to use the original library until the trees are removed, the building is repaired and asbestos is safely cleared. The council has not said how long the process will take, only that it expects the closure to last months or years.
Questions this report answers
+Why is Shortlands Library closed?
Shortlands Library closed after cracks appeared in a rear wall in January. Bromley Council later found asbestos and a sinkhole caused by subsidence from two large trees. The building is unsafe and will not reopen until repairs are complete, which could take years.
+When will the library reopen?
Bromley Council has not set a reopening date. Tree removal will start this autumn, but repairs cannot begin until the trees are fully removed. The council expects the closure to last months or years, with no confirmed timeline for completion.
+Where is the library operating now?
Shortlands Library is temporarily based inside St Mary’s Church on Kingswood Road. Bromley Council plans to improve the space while the original building is repaired. No details of the upgrades have been released yet.
+What happens next with the library?
Bromley Council will remove the two trees causing subsidence this autumn. After that, it will decant the site, test for asbestos and begin repairs. The council is also exploring other locations for a permanent library in Shortlands.
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