SIR - Your article on our day service modernisation programme was an accurate account of Herts County Council s proposals to improve the service currently provided at Butterwick for people with learning disabilities. However, I wanted to give some assuran

SIR - Your article on our day service modernisation programme was an accurate account of Herts County Council's proposals to improve the service currently provided at Butterwick for people with learning disabilities.

However, I wanted to give some assurances to anyone who might have been alarmed by the word 'axed' in the headline. Although there are plans to move from Butterwick, this will not lead to any reductions in service.

To anyone who may have taken up the editor's invitation to question our motivation for these proposals, I give my assurance that we are acting purely in the best interests of service users. Anyone who will be affected by this move is being kept fully informed and we will be sure to address any concerns which are raised.

RICHARD SMITH

Executive Member for Adult Care and Health, Hertfordshire County Council

SIR - I was dismayed by the predominately negative tone of your editorial comment following the more balanced report of the proposed closure of Butterwick Day Centre (Herts Advertiser, July 16).

Those of us who live in the Cell Barnes and Cunningham areas of St Albans were very sorry when Cunningham branch library was closed by Herts County Council in spite of strong local opposition and feared that the building would be demolished and the site used for flats.

We hoped that it could be retained for community use and provide a badly needed meeting place for local organisations. In addition, it is surely right that the users of the facilities and activities that Butterwick offers are made welcome into our community and will be able to make use of the amenities of Cell Barnes Lane. The retention of this building for all of us is to be welcomed and the future of the existing Butterwick site is an entirely separate matter.

PHILIPPA PARKER

London Road

St Albans