Hounslow Council is pumping more than £5m into libraries after it emerged many have leaky roofs, asbestos and faulty lifts.

Councillors agreed to give contractor John Laing Integrated Services (JLIS) the lump sum to transform Chiswick, Osterley, Heston, Bedfont, Cranford and Brentford libraries.

The three-stage plan will provide essential maintenance for some libraries which have not seen any council cash for almost a decade.

Councillor Becky Stewart said: “This is fantastic news for people among whom our libraries are extremely popular.

“The investment will support the development of our libraries as a focus for our communities to access a range of services.

“We should now see the replacement, improvement or refurbishment of every community library in the borough within two years.”

Ostelerly, Heston and Cranford libraries will have roof repairs and JLIS pledged to replace them with waterproof membranes and flashings.

Brentford and Bedfont will have full roof restructuring and asbestos will be removed from Osterley, Heston, Bedfont, Cranford, Brentford and Chiswick libraries.

Councillors said there are plans to build a new library at Feltham Airparcs, subject to planning approval.

Claire Griffiths, general manager for JLIS, which signed a 15-year contract with the council for 10 services in July 2008, said: “The works improvement programme was originally profiled over a three-year period, but we plan to accelerate the works so they will be completed by the end of 2010, bringing the library improvements and the Hub developments in line with each other.

“By the end of 2010 the residents of Hounslow will have a network of libraries which will have benefited from major infrastructure improvements, will look and feel more modern and provide a welcoming environment for customers who use the facilities for a range of different services.”

A Hounslow Council spokesman said work is scheduled to begin later this year.