Traveller clampdown continues as greater eviction powers are granted for 10 new Walsall sites

Sites including Barr Beacon, where more than 40 caravans were set up last night, are now ‘no go areas’ according to Walsall Council chiefs.

The injunction is the same as those already granted which cover 14 sites across the borough and allows the authority to move encampments on within 24 hours as opposed to the four to five days it normally takes.

The new injunctions – which take immediate effect – cover Barr Beacon, Aldridge Airport, King George V Playing Fields in Bloxwich and Pelsall Common.

Suffered

Swannies Field and The Lea, The Croft in Aldridge, Victoria Park in Darlaston, the Wakes Ground car and lorry park in Willenhall, Wolverhampton Street car park and Aldridge Community Centre and adjoining land at Middlemore Lane are also included.

A larger area of Walsall Arboretum – which was already covered by an injunction – is also included in the new wave of powers.

Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes, who has raised the borough’s issues with travellers in Parliament in recent weeks, said: “I sincerely hope that this means the residents who have suffered so much from the inconsiderate actions of travellers during recent months won’t have to suffer in the future.”

The injunction at Barr Beacon has been welcomed by councillor Adrian Andrew, who recently set up a petition asking for this to be implemented. He said: “I hope this new move has the desired effect.”

This latest injunction order brings the total number of sites in Walsall prohibiting an encampment to 24. Walsall Council leader, Sean Coughlan said: “It means that these sites in addition to those previously obtained are no go areas for unauthorised encampments.”