The redevelopment of Wath town centre is set to reach a major milestone, with demolition of the existing library building due to begin in the coming weeks.
The demolition marks a significant step forward for the £9.9m scheme, which will deliver a modern library, improved public spaces and new opportunities for residents and businesses.
To safely prepare for the demolition, part of the Biscay Way car park, located behind the existing library, will be temporarily closed from Monday 9 February to Friday 24 July 2026.
The closure is required to accommodate a works compound, as asbestos identified within the building must be removed safely using controlled procedures and specialist equipment.
To help reduce the impact of the temporary car park closure, on-street parking restrictions in Wath town centre have been extended from one hour to four hours along Sandygate, and on the south side of High Street, providing additional longerstay parking during the works.
To support blue badge users, three new disabled parking bays will be created to replace the existing spaces that will be temporarily closed during the demolition works, ensuring continued accessible provision in the Biscay Way Car Park.
The demolition is expected to be completed in July 2026, at which time the hoardings will be pulled back to fully reopen the car park.
Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces, said: “This work marks an important step forward in delivering the new library that Wath has been waiting for. It’s an investment in Wath’s future and part of our wider commitment to create thriving, safe and clean places across our borough.
“To make sure the demolition can be carried out safely, part of the Biscay Way car park will need to close temporarily. We know this may cause some shortterm inconvenience, and I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while this important work takes place.
“Supporting the whole borough is a key priority for the Council, and this project is a positive step towards creating facilities the whole community can be proud of.”
The temporary library service remains open at 4 Sandygate, providing the full range of library services, including meeting spaces, public computers, WiFi, children’s activities and Makerspace sessions.
