Travellers leave tip in West Bromwich woodlands

Residents living nearby have been left disgusted by the mess, which has been left on land in Brandon Way.

The rubbish was left by travellers after they had decided to move on from the site.

The area has been blighted by travellers in recent months and it has now been left to the council to clear up after the latest visitors to the area.

Peter Matthews, who lives nearby, said: "Travellers have been on the land and a load of mess has been left behind.

"There is clothes, tyres and mess from Shetland ponies, which were tied up.

"They have also made a mess moving the caravans off, leaving marks on the grass."

West Bromwich councillor Bawa Dhallu said travellers had been a nuisance to people living in the area.

He said: "It is a big problem. They have been on Brandon Way, moved and then gone back again.

"It is costing us money and it is no good for the environment or the people who live there."

Councillor Dhallu admitted preventing travellers from camping in Sandwell had proved difficult.

"It doesn't matter what we do, they always try to find a way to get in," he said.

Around 20 caravans descended onto Brandon Way last month.

It came less than a month after after previously taking over the spot.

Dozens of white vans, trucks and cars pulled onto the site. Just weeks before Sandwell Council had been forced to send environmental officers to clean the site after toilets, doors, windows and bags of household waste were left following a previous traveller influx.

It was the second time in two months travellers had moved onto land in West Bromwich. Travellers also moved on to Shaftesbury House in High Street at the start of April, with the council working with other authorities to provide an enforcement notice.

Councillor Dhallu, speaking at the time, said: "They keep coming here and it shouldn't be like this. We have moved them from a couple of places recently."