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Tough new injunctions against travellers could be introduced in Wolverhampton

Tough new powers to tackle travellers could be brought in to Wolverhampton as frustration continues to build over an encampment on playing fields.

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Travellers on Windsor Avenue Playing Fields, Penn

Wolverhampton council bosses said they want injunctions brought in to protect sites, and to hold discussions with other Black Country councils which have already got tough on travellers – such as Walsall.

Evicting travellers from the playing fields in Penn is something that has to be managed ‘sensitively and appropriately’, Wolverhampton council has said.

After around 20 caravans moved into Windsor Avenue last weekend, the council came under fire from members of the public and the Conservative opposition for not quickly moving the new arrivals along.

The travellers left the site yesterday, with a clean-up taking place this morning.

Hefty bill

There were concerns taxpayers would again end up footing a hefty bill because of the authority’s ‘delayed response’ to travellers in the area, which cost up to £30,000 last year.

Council spokesman Danielle Taylor said: “We are considering remedies to the issue of traveller incursions, including the possible use of injunctions on sites where there have been previous encampments, and ways of protecting potentially vulnerable sites.

“We note some of our neighbouring authorities have injunctions and/or transit sites and we are liaising with them to share ideas and lessons learned in similar situations.

“We recognise the frustration unauthorised encampments cause for the local community and will always take enforcement action as soon as possible, and where necessary, seek a court hearing at the earliest date.

“Finding a long-term solution is very much a priority for the council but this needs to be managed sensitively and appropriately.

"In the meantime, we continue to work closely with the business community and West Midlands Police to tackle the issue.”

Frustration

Cabinet member for city environment Steve Evans added: “I understand residents’ frustration. However, even though we responded as quickly as possible, the legal process takes time.

“Within less than 24 hours, our public protection team served the notice on the unauthorised traveller encampment and acquired the earliest available court date to enable us to legally evict the occupants and re-secure our land.

“We are actively working to achieve a long-term solution to this issue whilst operating within the remits of what the courts allow us to do.”

At least 10 caravans were spotted pitching up on the green space overnight on Wednesday last week, which then grew to 20 last weekend.

Residents reported seeing members of the group going to the toilet in the open and lighting fires.

Back in December Dudley Council sparked controversy by listing potential places to house travellers legally, and asking residents to vote.

Sites in Coseley, Gornal and Lye were all earmarked as possible locations but it was Budden Road in Coseley that came out on top.

But some local councillors said it would spark a backlash and anger from residents.

Wolverhampton council staff said they had looked into legal sites as a possibility, and were also considering ways to protect ‘vulnerable’ sites.

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