I REFER to the proposed relocation of the Arc Light centre to the disused site of Shipton Street School in Clifton.

While I agree with and support the work the Arc Light project is taking on, I object to the idea of moving the centre to the Shipton Street site.

Working for the emergency services, I am aware of the nature of problems residents of the Arc Light have to cope with and moving the centre from an under-populated area to a densely packed area such as Clifton seems absurd.

Clifton has had its problems over the past few years and, although it is not perfect, it is getting better. Relocating the Arc Light into the area would be a downright kick in the teeth.

While a visible effort is being made to clean up the streets - not just of the constant litter in the gutters but of the highly visible selling of class A narcotics - how much of a setback would it be to relocate a facility which incorporates drug and alcohol rehabilitation into an area where controlled substances are so easily obtainable?

I know the purpose of Arc Light is to support and house people while they fight their own personal battles, but is this the right place to be doing it?

The residents of Clifton, who rely on their council to make sound decisions and protect their better interests, are feeling betrayed and let down.

How can anyone feel safe to raise a young family in such a community when a bombshell of these proportions may be dropped on them at any time?

P Johnson,

Newborough Street, York.

Updated: 09:37 Tuesday, August 09, 2005