'We don't want them here': Anger as travellers return to leisure centre
Travellers have descended on the Chase Leisure Centre car park, sparking concerns over rubbish being left behind at the well-used site.
Around 10 caravans pitched up on the car park of the centre on Wednesday.
The occupying travellers have already been served with an enforcement notice ordering them to move on, with Cannock Chase District Council leader George Adamson claiming residents want them gone 'as soon as possible'.
Councillor Adamson said: "We don't want them here, myself and the residents in Cannock Chase that I have spoken with feel the same way.
"They just leave a mess behind, which takes money and time to clean up. It isn't something we should have to deal with but a court order has been served so they should be gone soon.
"It is a shame we have to wait for this to be done through legal means when we want it done as soon as possible.
"I would like to see the police use their powers to move the travellers on."
Last September, 27 caravans were set up on the car park by travellers just days after a pitch was made in Bridgtown, prompting a similarly robust outburst from the council leader.
Councillor Adamson claimed that the area had 'become a target for travellers' back then and he now says he is concerned that the problem is returning following a quiet period.
He said: "It looks to me like they are back and that is the general feeling in the town.
"People seem to be resigned to it in the area but I think something needs to be done to prevent this from happening.
"Last time, there was a lot of human excrement and other unpleasant things left behind, which is not on.
"We shouldn't have to deal with this."
