Travellers leave Essington site after council warning

Seven caravans, one motor home and nine other vehicles arrived suddenly on Monday evening and stopped in car parking spaces which are normally used by firms based at the Hilton Main Industrial Estate, Bognop Road, Essington.

Nearby workers say that the travellers initially said they only planned to stay on the estate for one night.

Their arrival was however reported to South Staffordshire District Council late on Monday, and staff at the businesses said the group had remained longer than promised. Businesses said they were blocking car parking spaces and used by workers and customers.

South Staffordshire Council chiefs however first asked the travellers to move on Monday and then reinforced their message by serving them with an order yesterday afternoon warning them to leave within 24 hours. The group left by 9am today.

David Pattison, council director of legal and public health protection services, said: "We were made aware on Monday that seven caravans and one motor home had moved onto land at Hilton Industrial Estate, which is partly owned by ourselves and partly owned by a private landowner.

"They were immediately asked to move."

Parish Councillor John Brindle, who works at Diamond Fire Extinguishers, Brindle & Sons Ltd, based at a unit on the estate, said: "The travellers were blocking the spaces people needed to park their cars, and costing businesses here custom and money.

"But they thankfully left before this morning so things are back to normal although we're not aware where they've moved to."

Businesses affected originally included Saxons gym and Martins Motors garage nearby.