Travellers move onto Walsall beauty spot
Travellers have moved onto a Walsall beauty spot shortly after a group left playing fields a few miles away.
Between 20 and 30 caravans and other vehicles pitched up camp at Pelsall Common just before 10pm on Thursday. It comes after a group left Bloxwich's King George V playing field earlier in the day.
The site doesn’t fall within the zones where Walsall Council can shift camps on within 24 hours.
All three councillors for the area - Garry Perry, Marco Longhi and Oliver Bennett - were made aware of the incident as the caravans arrived at the spot, which is minutes from the High Street.
They have helped distribute leaflets to the residents living immediately nearby informing them of what to do if 'there is any concern'.
Councillor Perry said: "We are limited to what we can do. We have to operate within the confines of the legislation. That's disappointing for some but we can't operate outside that.
"We can only offer messages of reassurance. People will be naturally alarmed at these things and particularly for the vulnerable people in our community.
"We can just support them if they feel like they're becoming a victim. You can't just assume that's going to happen.
"A lot of people have strong views and we try not to engage on that other than this is not an ideal place for the traveller community to set up.
"It's always frustrating particularly when you're using open spaces. This summer we're not alone as a borough in seeing these encampments – it's become a real issue this year."
Walsall Council said: “Officers are serving the notice to vacate the site.
“We understand the impact an unauthorised encampment has on residents and businesses, but we have to follow the process required by the legislation. However, we are doing this as quickly as we can.”
Over the past few weeks, groups of travellers have been camping up regularly at various spots in the Black Country.
Among the areas that have been affected include Bursnips Road in Essington, the Windsor Avenue playing fields in Penn, Wolverhampton, and a playing field next to Withymoor Primary School in Dudley.
Calls have been made by councillor Perry to have ready-made leaflets at hand to deliver to residents in case travellers move into their area.
He added: "It's one thing for the team to attend the site but I think that reassurance message shouldn't just come from councillors.
"There should be a ready-made leaflet that is delivered to all residents explaining the processes.
"Any immediate residents that are adjacent to an authorised camp should automatically in my opinion be given the relevant information on processes and who to contact if there's any concern."
