The repair bill for Bradford Central Library is expected to be £750,000, it has been revealed.

That is nearly a quarter of the original £4 million estimate made when the majority of the library building was closed down last October because of fire safety fears.

The cash is expected to come from Bradford Council’s reserves and Councillor David Green, the executive member for culture, said he hoped the library would be reopened completely to the public by the summer.

“The money will pay for fire proofing and the ducting of the electricity cables, as well as screening for the stairs and fire doors,” he said. “It will come out of the Council reserves as soon as we get the financial approval and hopefully work will start as soon as possible.”

A report on the repairs required is expected to go to a meeting of the Council’s executive, where a decision will be required on approving the necessary funding.

Emergency work was carried out last year to make the lower part of the central staircase safe because, in its former state, it could act as a chimney in the event of a fire.

Now the repair plans will see the second floor coming back into public use and the same level of service prior to the health and safety check revelations.

The remaining floors will continue to be only accessible to Council employees and other measures will be put in place to ensure their safety.

Coun Green added: “There will be some limitations, particularly around meeting rooms, and we will continue to seek alternatives where possible.”