Playing fields a "no go zone" amid reports of travellers causing disruption
Playing fields where travellers have set up camp have become a ‘no-go zone’ for residents, according to those living nearby.
A group of around 25 caravans have moved onto Windsor Avenue Playing Fields, at the rear of Warstones Primary School in Wolverhampton since the first arrivals on Wednesday. They have been told by Wolverhampton council to leave the site by 5pm on Saturday or face formal eviction proceedings.
In the meantime residents have reported that the people are causing damage to the fields and behaving anti-socially.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It is becoming a no-go zone for residents whose children play there and who walk their dogs there.”
Another frustrated resident of Pinfold Lane, added: “More vans have moved onto the site since Thursday night and people are riding around the field and it is just totally wrecking it.
“There were three men riding around the car park at 1.15am with their headlights on keeping people awake.
“We have never had a problem on that field before.”
Immediately after the travellers arrived on Wednesday others parked up next to nearby Warstones Library.
They later moved but caravans have remained on the playing fields. Tom Hawkins, environmental health officer at Wolverhampton council, said: “We understand people wish for them to be evicted as soon as is possible.
“The council are working hard to do so.”
The travellers arrived on the same day several groups were evicted by police from land in Dudley.
Travellers moved onto playing fields near Withymoor Primary School and also set up camp on a field by a One Stop convenience store in Brierley Hill on Tuesday night.
A group had already set up camp on Withymoor Park on Thursday.
Dudley Council and West Midlands Police together carried out an eviction on Wednesday.
