PROTESTERS will gather in Southampton today for a second rally calling on the city council to reverse plans to close a respite centre.

Southampton City Council has earmarked Shirley’s Kentish Road respite centre as a service it intends to cut, leaving many families and children without any place for those with learning difficulties and special needs to go.

The authority is looking to save approximately £300,000 a year by closing the centre.

The move comes after council received a grant of £9.7m from the government to spend on adult social care of the next three years.

Last month, campaigners waved placards and chanted along Shirley High Street to show their support for the centre.

Today, campaigners will join up again - this time at The Bargate in Southampton centre at 12pm.

The campaign to save Kentish Road respite centre was set up by parents Lisa Stead and Amanda Guest, whose children use the centre.

Lisa, whose 21-year-old son Harrison has learning difficulties, said: “People have to come and join us - this is the big march to save Kentish Road.

“We are trying to make sure people are aware that the council are in major violation of disabled people. You only have to look at the Daily Echo to see how the council are treating people with disabilities. “The number of disabled people is getting bigger, but they are part of this community. They may not have the vocal ability but we as parents are fed up with the council’s abuse of power.”

Amanda added: “All of the people with special needs that use the centre, whether they have the capacity to answer or not, have never been asked how they feel about the centre being closed.”

A petition was launched in July to save the centre - which received 2,000 signatures in its first five days.

It hit the threshold required to trigger a full council debate, which has been scheduled for September 20.

Previously, councillor Warwick Payne, portfolio holder for adult social care at the city council, revealed the council had been approached by a charity to run the facilities.

But a statement from the council confirmed the closure would go ahead because their commitment had been met.

It added: “The council gave a commitment that six months’ notice of its closure would be given and suitable alternatives for accommodation have been offered.”