Fears over temporary traveller site in Willenhall
Concerns have been raised about a temporary transit site that has been set up in Willenhall to accommodate travellers attending a funeral.
Walsall Council announced the Wakes Ground car and lorry park will be where unauthorised encampments in the borough will be directed to during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Bosses said a number of sites were looked at before the Walsall Street facility was chosen by officers, using delegated powers.
The decision prompted criticism on social media from people including local councillor Diane Coughlan and Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes who were worried about the suitability of the location.
Mr Hughes said previous encampments on the car park had caused issues in the area.
But Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said they were anticipating an incursion ahead of a funeral in the borough that travellers are due to attend on Tuesday. He added it their duty to deal with the “humanitarian issue” and provide facilities to the community.
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There is currently one encampment, near Junction 10 of the M6 motorway, where there are three vans, and officers have discussed them moving to the temporary site.
Councillor Coughlan, who represents Willenhall South, said: “We have had our objections ignored. We only found out about the plans on Thursday morning by a member of the public and social media, prior to this we were not consulted or informed by Walsall council, and the final decision was taken Friday morning.
“Whilst I understand the need to provide somewhere for travellers to stay during this time, I have questioned the location.”
Contacted
Mr Hughes said: “Many people have contacted me expressing their concern about the use of Wakes car park in Willenhall as a temporary transit site for travellers.
“I’ve written to council bosses urging them to reconsider as I believe this is a completely inappropriate location for a traveller site. I remember what it was like when they set up an unauthorised encampment previously.
“I’ve also asked what other sites across Walsall and the Black Country were considered, and what criteria was used to decide which site was chosen.
“Finally, if this cannot be stopped, I’ve asked what terms and conditions will apply to those travellers who use the site. If they don’t comply, they must be moved on.”
Councillor Bird said: “We are aware there is a traveller’s funeral. Now we don’t know how many people might come to that funeral but we have a duty and it’s a humanitarian issue where we have to look at the implications of that.
“Government guidelines is to wash your hands regularly, so we’ve got to provide a facility where they can do exactly that.
“We looked around the borough at pieces of land that could accommodate such a facility and the officers, after trawling through the sites, designated that the Wakes ground could provide such a facility on a temporary basis until this is over.
“One issue we have with funerals is the maximum we’ve designated is 10 visitors.
“If people do not adhere to the regulations such as social distancing then we will have to address that issue whether that be through the council or elsewhere.
“Funerals are a sensitive thing. But we have to cater for what we think might happen. We’ve got to be in a position is to provide them with facilities such as running water, temporary toilets, bins and a facility to get rid of waste water.
“We know there are some who don’t want this but unfortunately we have to provide a facility not only to safeguard the travellers but to safeguard the wider community.”
