'I have never seen anything like it': Mayhem as travellers take over leisure centre car park
Travellers are causing chaos after moving onto a leisure centre car park – forcing people to park on the busy road outside.
The first caravans arrived at Cannock's Chase Leisure Centre on Wednesday but since then more have arrived.
The car park at the leisure centre does have barriers but they have not been working for the last few weeks according to staff, allowing the travellers to pitch up.
One parent told of difficulties trying to collect her daughter from a skating session on Friday night.
She said: "It was chaos. Cars were pulling up around the entrance because there was no room on the car park due to the travellers. And in the middle of this I saw more caravans arrive. There were about 20 in total."
The situation reached tipping point on Saturday when a children's karate competition was on at the leisure centre, with parents and other visitors forced to park on Stafford Road.
The travellers are now believed to have been served notice and bailiffs could move in today.
Councillor Maureen Freeman, the chairman of Cannock Chase Council, said: "It all started at 8am. I had one call then another then another. Eventually I went to the car park myself at half 9 and I have never seen anything like it.
"There was a big competition on at the leisure centre itself and it was horrendous. People were having to park all up Stafford Road. There was an Alsation dog attached to a lamppost as well.
"I flagged a policeman down who happened to be passing and saw all the cars along Stafford Road. I asked if he could please do something about the dog and eventually they did move it.
"There were huge red gas canisters, electric wires going from one caravan to another. I have never seen anything like it, it was awful.
"I went into the leisure centre itself and spoke to the duty manager and questioned why the barriers hadn't been put down but they said they hadn't been working for weeks.
"I have been fighting this all week. My understanding is that the bailiffs could be moving in on Monday but obviously it is going to be at a cost to the taxpayer."
