Travellers row leads to £50,000 plan

Dudley Council is boosting security at the Oak Lane caravan park in Kingswinford, due to concerns about the safety of residents and council employees.

But the proposals have come under fire from one councillor as being "unnecessary" and a "waste of taxpayers' money."

A report by council leader David Caunt says: "During the last 12 months there have been a number of incidents on the site that have posed threats to the health and safety of council employees, contractors and residents.

"Unlawful occupation of vacant plots has also taken place. Risk assessments have highlighted the need to provide greater safety and security to safeguard persons working or residing on the site."

The site has also been plagued by flytippers and gipsies have been setting up camp without permission.

But Councillor Malcolm Davis has blasted the plans, expected to be rubber stamped at a full council meeting on Monday.

He said: "I don't think taxpayers should be lumbered with having to foot the bill of putting cameras up on this site.

"There are a lot of people who are genuinely suffering because of anti-social behaviour but are not getting a penny from the council. This money would be better spent helping them."

But cabinet member for housing Michael Evans has defended the scheme.

He said: "There have been a number of disagreements between residents living on the site. I fully support increasing security on the site and I think it is the best way forward.

"We need to treat Oak Lane like any other housing site in the borough."

The heavy duty wireless CCTV, costing £20,000, can be recorded or viewed live by remote access by council officers.

The barriers, costing £30,000, will be used to prevent unauthorised access to the site.

The Oak Lane site is maintained by the council as a designated base for the travelling community.

Improvements totalling £500,000 are planned for the site during the next few months including revamped toilet blocks.