Traveller camp ban to protect 60 sites in Wolverhampton
A tough new traveller ban has been granted giving protection to 60 open areas across Wolverhampton.
The council was granted the injunction at Birmingham High Court yesterday.
It will now give officials new powers to evict traveller encampments on protected sites across the city.
The injunction is in place for the next three years.
The move will mean less taxpayer's money will be spent on expensive court proceedings and clean up operations, say the council.
Travellers are on the land illegally could be arrested and be fined, have property seized or be sent to be prison.
Council bosses are also working with land owners in the region to try and secure a site for travellers to stay at when they visit.
The injunction is set for a review in 12 months where the status of the potential travellers site will also be discussed.
Wolverhampton Council cabinet member, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “I’m delighted the High Court has granted the injunction to protect our most vulnerable spaces against traveller encampments.
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“The ruling means all 60 sites listed are no-go areas for unauthorised encampments.
“These encampments have caused a lot of disruption to our residents, especially over the past year.
"Now we have the injunction, the council will be able to speed up the frustrating delays we have experienced and remove anyone who pitches up on our protected sites more quickly.
“The injunction is something we have wanted in place for a very long time and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in making it happen.”
East Park in Stow Heath is one of the 60 sites earmarked for protection after travellers were removed from the site in July this year.
People can find out more about the injunction and the 60 protected sites by visiting www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/travellerinjunction
