The leader of Redbridge Council has given a “cast-iron guarantee” that there are no plans to close any libraries in the borough before the next elections in 2018.

In response to public concerns about library closures, council leader Jas Athwal pledged Wanstead Library in Spratt Hall Road will still be open at the time of the 2018 local elections.

He said: “I can give a cast-iron guarantee that we have no plans to close any libraries in the next two and a half years.

“At a full council meeting on Thursday, the cabinet member gave an unequivocal answer to the question of whether Wanstead Library will stay open.”

Cabinet member for civic pride, Councillor Dev Sharma, said: “Wanstead Library will stay open and there are no plans to close any other libraries or make changes to opening hours.”

Councillor Athwal also said Woodford Green Library in Snakes Lane East will stay open until the proposed replacement facility at the Sir James Hawkey Hall site in Broomhill Road is finished.

He said: “We are not closing Woodford Green Library.

"The current library is tired, so we have proposed a new state of the art facility a few yards down the road, which will run a bit like the one at South Woodford.

“But the library will not close until the new one opens.”