Residents have hit back against "outrageous" rules which seek to deprive locals of their much-loved community library in a south east London station.
At the end of January, the free book collection had been removed from Lewisham station for failing to adhere to official fire safety regulations.
In ardent retaliation, Michael Peacock, the library’s curator, has launched a petition to save the free library, which has racked up 1,737 signatures so far.
Speaking to the People’s Channel, he explained how the station’s reading respite benefited the community, describing reading as his own "lifesaver" when faced with his own personal challenges.
Peacock described reading as his own 'lifesaver' when faced with challenges throughout his life
Michael Peacock
In one instance, he recounted how a man - who had been homeless during his teenage years - contacted him to say that his library had "opened his eyes a great deal" which led him to reach out for support "at the right time to land on [his] feet".
Another Malaysian-born resident drew on her experience of enduring censorship while she grew up under the Japanese occupation of Malaya.
Tan Koolin, 85, said that she now distributes the library’s books amongst unsettled children on the train so that they can enjoy the opportunity to read.
Meanwhile, another local insisted that the books were a "vital community service", as another lauded its ability to "brighten a dreary commute".
"The slashing of this free service for illogical and irrational reasons to adhere to a health and safety mandate only crushes community spirit," another raged.
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Meanwhile, others took the opportunity to raise awareness of Lewisham’s lack of reading facilities, claiming that it was "easily the worst in south east London".
Peacock explained that Lewisham’s only private library had been shut down for renovation last year which he said is due to "reopen next year".
Authorities at the London Fire Brigade and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) confirmed that, since the station has been reclassified as a "sub-surface railway station", they must adhere to new fire safety protocols - which include the removal of the library.
In response, one local huffed: “They can put men on the moon but choose an easy option to ban books and let kids read on their mobile phones instead. It is outrageous!”
Another local described the free library as a 'vital community service' in Lewisham
Michael Peacock
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "Following a referral by Transport for London, London Fire Brigade visited Lewisham Docklands Light Railway Station on November 15, 2024.
"As a result of this visit, the Brigade has determined that the station should be reclassified as a sub-surface station.
"This requires the station to make several changes in order for it to be compliant under the fire safety regulations that now apply."
It is understood that the library was removed in late January, although this action was not carried out by the London Fire Brigade.
The fire brigade is aware of a legal enquiry raised on behalf of the petitioner, which will be considered under the Freedom of Information Act.
GB News has contacted TfL for comment
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