THE closure of Harpenden's Stairways respite centre was confirmed yesterday, despite a campaign by parents of disabled children to keep it open.
The county council's cabinet rubber-stamped the plan to restructure respite centres across the county, involving closing the Douglas Road residential facility and replacing it with a larger one in either Hemel Hempstead or Redbourn.
Parents have told the Review of their fears of losing long-serving staff and that a larger centre will lack the personal touch they value, but the council says the new structure will allow more frequent visits, with 1,000 bed-nights available by 2014.
Councillor Jane Pitman, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “These will be the most important changes ever made to our service. It is an exciting opportunity to transform these vital short break services for families."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here