Barr Beacon to get new security measures to stop travellers pitching up

The Barr Beacon Trust has given approval for grounds to be dug at the site and walls of rubble to be put in place to prevent traveller access– with the work to be ‘carried out shortly’.

And now 700 Pheasey Park Farm residents have signed a petition asking for an injunction to completely ban travellers from Barr Beacon and Doe Bank Park.

The petition will be discussed by Walsall Council’s corporate and public services scrutiny committee at a meeting on Thursday.

A report to members reveals that work is under way at the local authority to apply for injunctions at a number of sites in the borough – including Barr Beacon.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, who organised the petition, said: “I am grateful to everyone who has supported the petition. We are all hoping that the debate will go our way.

“We want to have a permanent exclusion measure put in place to prevent these encampments happening at Barr Beacon.

“That is what the permission is calling and we hope the council will agree this needs to be looked at.”

Around 50 caravans set up camp at Barr Beacon in September. Their arrival came after the local authority secured a landmark ruling last year to protect 12 sites – but some say this has made others a target.

The report continues: “Work is under way to apply for injunctions on a small number of council-owned sites that have been significantly impacted by unauthorised encampments (UEs).

“This would include Barr Beacon as a result of the high number of incursions and in recognition of the impact on access to the War Memorial on the site.

“The Barr Beacon Trust has recently given approval for the installation of protective measures, such as bunding (barriers/walls). It is anticipated these works will be carried out shortly, while measures have also been identified for Doe Bank Park.”