Work on Rainham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre is now halfway towards completion, with the building on track to open in April.

Romford Recorder: What Rainham Library will look like when it's finishedWhat Rainham Library will look like when it's finished (Image: Archant)

The multimillion-pound project is jointly funded by Havering Council and the Mayor of London.

It involves the Broadway being transformed to create more than 1,200 square metres of expanded library facilities, as well as retail space, a café, nursery and 16 new flats built above the new-look library. The £4.5million project includes over £2m of funding from the Mayor of London.

The library scheme is part of the council’s Rainham Compass project to improve the area and the quality of life for its residents.

Cllr Andrew Curtin, cabinet member for culture, towns and communities, said: “Residents understand how important libraries are – which is obvious with membership numbers across the borough rocketing over recent years – and so do we.

“That’s why we’re committed to delivering an excellent service and to building new libraries, not closing them.

“I know the library will be a fantastic addition to the village and a great benefit for generations to come, and I’m really looking forward to its completion.”

London’s deputy mayor for housing, Richard Blakeway, said: “The mayor is committed to transforming underused public land into really valuable community assets.

“This scheme, a real triumph of innovative green design, is a fantastic example of what is possible with a new library as well as a nursery, a lifelong-learning centre and improved transport links for local residents.”

The library service recently received a Customer Service Excellence Award from leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS.