Express & Star

Anger as travellers force way onto Darlaston park

Travellers forced entry at a Darlaston park, prompting an angry response from community leaders in the town.

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Ten caravans pitched up at George Rose Park, in Wolverhampton Street, after allegedly breaking two entrance gates to the site yesterday.

The arrival alerted the authorities, with Walsall Council officers and police attending the scene.

The state of this park gate suggests the travellers broke in

Councillor Paul Bott, who represents the South Darlaston ward, said: "This is very concerning and I hope it can be sorted out pretty quickly.

"I am very worried about the waste they may leave behind as it could cost a fortune to clear up. We've seen it many times before.

"The council has spent a lot of money on George Rose Park, in the region of £500,000 and I hope the travellers will not ruin what is a valuable facility for the area."

The broken gate

He added: "The park is for children, not for travellers to do their business on."

Councillor Doug James, who represents the same ward, said: "I can reassure residents everything is being done to make sure the travellers are removed from the park.

"They have obviously found a way to smash the gates open and then move in.

"This is becoming a huge concern to the people of Darlaston. Not only are they looking to fight off legal travellers sites but now illegal ones too.

"Something needs to be done urgently to stop illegal travellers coming here."

Deb Edmonds, spokesman for West Midlands Police, said: "We were called to George Rose Park just after 12pm.

"It does appear a group of travellers have lifted the hinges on the gate and entered the park.

"Walsall Council have been informed and are currently attempting to speak to the travellers."

The latest travellers incident to hit the town comes just days after tensions boiled over at a public meeting opposing plans for a traveller site in Darlaston.

Hundreds of unhappy residents turned up in their droves to show their disapproval of a proposal to turn the closed-down Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre into a site for 15 permanent traveller pitches.

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