HOPES that Alton would be getting its promised new library this year have been dashed.

Despite a commitment by Hampshire County Council to make the project the number one priority, the timetable has been hit by more delays.

Recent rumours that the town would see a new library in place this financial year have been firmly scotched. Instead Alton looks set for another two-year wait.

The news comes as a body blow to local people who have been campaigning for almost 15 years to get a new library built in the town.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council confirmed to The Herald that the library won't be coming yet.

He said if all goes well Alton could have the facility within two years but stressed that this is subject to "everything going to plan". Discussions are taking place but until the council has bought the site nothing can be confirmed.

"There is a scheme in place and proposals are being worked up for a replacement library in Alton which will be on the site of the current library," said the spokesperson.

"The project will be partially funded by the sale of part of that site. There are discussions with planning authorities with regard to the library and leasing proposals."

Last year the county council recognised that the current library in Alton is "unsuitable and unsatisfactory" and carried out a feasibility study to try to decide whether a new library could be built on the existing site.

Leader of the county council Ken Thornber said then he would review the priorities within the council's building programme and Alton was put at the top of the priority list.

The county acknowledges the existing premises is coming to the end of its natural life, that at times the roof leaks and there is no room for expansion.

However, despite this acknowledgement it looks as though Alton will just have to play the waiting game.

"It's extremely disappointing," said councillor Allan Chick. "My colleagues and I are thoroughly disappointed that we have another long haul to campaign for our library. We will be complaining and lobbying the county council," he said.

Mr Chick recalls that he was assured by the chairman of the county council libraries committee in 1997 that next year Alton will be getting its library. That was four years ago and still no library has appeared.

Leader of the town council Peter Whitmarsh is appalled at the way the county council is treating Alton and expressed his concern at a recent town council meeting. "Our county council are treating us atrociously," he said.