SO it would seem that three disabled people waving placards and protesting with regards to the access to Ledbury Library have forced Herefordshire Council to close it at the end of the year - amazing people power!

Where did these protesters do their reading and get their books from over the last few years?

The true scenario is that Herefordshire Council saw this protest regarding the disability act as a loophole by which to act and save money by moving the library to another site.

Why Herefordshire Council has not worked alongside the Elizabeth Barrett Browning Trust to get the building adapted to meet the needs of the disability act is incomprehensible.

The act does require that 'businesses/corporations (including councils) undertake an assessment to identify features of their property which make it unreasonably difficult for disabled employees or visitors to use their services'. Any reasonable adjustment must be implemented or 'planned'. Also they must be able to demonstrate that action is already in hand.

In this instance Herefordshire Council is spending some £30K on consultants' fees in preparation for the redevelopment of The Master's House.

Meanwhile, the people of Ledbury will have to do with 'a caravan in a car park'. The first sign of vandalism and it will disappear leaving Ledbury with no library facilities. Problem solved, money saved!

Herefordshire Council is in reality in such a dire financial situation it will use any excuse and do anything to save money irrespective of local opinion.

This, I fear, is only the thin edge of the wedge and more public services will be removed as part of a cost cutting exercise across the board.

Meanwhile, the Council Tax will go up and public services will be reduced, while councillors will firmly state it is down to a reduction in financial grants and definitely not of their making!

P WATTS, Deer Park, Ledbury.