Tarmac donation supports new chapter for Barrow upon Soar library car park

January 3, 2024

A donation of £2,584.00 from Tarmac has supported Barrow upon Soar’s community managed library to resurface its car park. 

The library is run by the local community in the Leicestershire village, which is a few miles away from Tarmac’s Mountsorrel Quarry. As well as book lending services, the library building is used for events like yoga and pilates classes, choir practice and chess and scrabble clubs.

The new Barrow upon Soar Community Library car park.

The new car park surface also includes marked spaces for disabled people and parents with children, and a ramped entrance to improve accessibility at the library for the village’s residents.  

Most of the costs for the car park were met by Section 106 contributions from two nearby developments, while the donation from Tarmac helped the library committee to complete the project. Work on the car park was completed in August 2023, and Mick Stevens from Tarmac was able to attend the official opening.

Mick Stevens from Tarmac cuts the ribbon at the new car park.

Rob Lees, senior operations manager at Tarmac, said: “We’re so pleased we could support the Barrow upon Soar Community Association by donating funding towards the new library car park. 

“The team of volunteers does a fantastic job of running the library for the local community. With a new car park surface, we hope it’s even easier for everyone in the village to borrow and return books, use library services and attend events.” 

Keith Butler, chairman at Barrow upon Soar Community Library, said: “The car park surface was very rough and was not suitable for wheelchairs and those with walking difficulties. We now have an excellent new car park which is suitable for all. 

“We are grateful to Tarmac for helping us to complete this project.”