Parents' campaign over Harpenden respite centre is making progress (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Parents' campaign over Harpenden respite centre is making progress

3:39pm Monday 8th February 2010

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PARENTS worried by the proposed closure of a Harpenden respite centre should take heart, according to the councillor who is supporting them.

The Review reported last week how parents were disappointed they had not persuaded a county council committee committee to drop the plan to close the Stairways Centre in Douglas Road, which about 45 disabled children use for regular visits, both overnight and during the day.

But Lib Dem county councillor Chris White, who has been putting their case to the Tory-controlled authority, said: "It is not all bad news by any means.

"At least they are not going to be shunted right across the county to Hertford.

"There will be a new centre built relatively close in the west of the county.

"It is very important they have agreed no t to close Stairways before the new centre is up and running. "And at last the council officers are listening to the parents.

"They are not going to get exactly what they want, and some of them want different things, but it looks like there can be some kind of compromise."

Some parents favour building a new centre on a vacant site in Redbourn - an option Councillor White hopes is still possible, despite doubts over its capacity.

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