PROPOSED council cuts which could see up to 82 mobile library stops lost in Taunton Deane and West Somerset have been described as “disgraceful”.

Somerset County Council is consulting on wide-ranging changes to library services across the county as it looks to make around £500,000 worth of savings.

Plans including axing over half of the 574 stops made by the mobile library service next August and phasing out CD loans while more positive changes could see free WiFi installed in all libraries and an extension of the Home Library Service.

Justine Baker, LibDem County Councillor for Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West, said: “There are three stops for the mobile library in Bishop’s Hull, including Abbeyfield (residential care home) and St Margaret’s Hospice, which are being axed because they are within three miles of Taunton Library.

“There are hardly any bus services into town and many of the people at Abbeyfield and St Margaret’s probably couldn’t access them anyway.

“They’re doing this by geographical distance, ignoring the fact that there are a number of care homes in Bishop’s Hull. It’s disgraceful.”

Mobile library stops made at schools look set to stay in place and stops within 0.5 miles of each other would be combined.

Cllr David Hall, the cabinet member responsible for libraries said: “Library buildings will remain open for all to enjoy, but as can be seen, there are still tough decisions to make.”

The county council says the changes could save it £472,000, with the vast majority (£422,000) classed as non-customer facing – things like procurement savings on contracts and other efficiencies.

Members of the public can take part in the consultation and questionnaire – which closes on January 11, 2015 – by visiting their local library or mobile library, by visiting www.somer set.gov.uk/library consultation or by emailing libraryservice review@somerset.gov.uk