Walsall Council ‘asleep at the wheel’ over unauthorised traveller encampment at Delves Green - councillor

Councillor Connor Horton is a ward member for Great Barr, Yew Tree and Tamebridge in Sandwell, which borders Walsall’s Palfrey ward where Delves Green is located.

The site on Greenside Way falls under the responsibility of Walsall Council, but Councillor Horton says the impact is felt directly by his constituents on the Sandwell side of the border.

Councillor Horton said the latest encampment in May consisted of more than 50 vehicles and when they were removed, "rubbish, toys and human faeces" were left.

He said: “Not only was Walsall Council very late in evicting the encampment, nobody from Walsall Council bothered to turn up to review the state of the field which included faeces all over the bushes.

“Sandwell officers were there to reassure residents on our side of the border but Walsall was frankly asleep at the wheel regarding this encampment.

“Crucially, despite repeated incidents at the site, Walsall Council have taken no action to secure it.

“There’s no malice in any residents’ complaints towards the travellers, they just want to keep the green space open.

“There are sites available for travellers. Green spaces can’t just be taken over and shut down for days on end, that’s the issue here.”

A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “Community Protection put an injunction on the site, which was vacated within 48 hours.”