Massive bill to clear up as travellers leave
This is the trail of rubbish and debris left behind by travellers who invaded Sandwell Council's car park – leaving taxpayers a £1,500 bill to clear it up.
A fleet of 10 caravans and other vehicles set up camp on the Sandwell Council House car park off Dudley Road, Oldbury. Litter and food waste was left strewn along hedgerows and along the car park surface, and debris left behind included tyres, planks of wood, a broom, rugs and empty drinks cans.
A barrier which was dismantled when the convoy arrived a week last Saturday was also left unrepaired despite the travellers promising to fix it when they first arrived – but they did hand a bolt back to the attendant as they left.
Council workers were deployed to begin clearing up yesterday after the site was vacated
The car park is used by hundreds of workers and visitors every day but was shut off for more than a week while the travellers were there.
Regeneration and transport chief Councillor Bob Badham said: "The travellers did not repair the barriers before they left, but I understand that they gave the bolt from the system to a council attendant which should make it easier to repair.
"The clean up is basically completed and there are just a few minor security measures to be finished.
"We anticipate that the final bill will be around £1,500."
Travellers moved on to the site on August 22 and moved out yesterday after being threatened with legal action following a court hearing applying for a warrant.
The camp was set up just two weeks after the council threw out plans to take on a liaison officer and teacher for travellers and to celebrate a gipsy and traveller history month in borough schools.
Sandwell has submitted a separate application for £2 million of government funding to improve the Batman's Hill gipsy site.
