Wolverhampton councillors: 'We need power to clear traveller camps now'
Tough powers to evict travellers within 24 hours may be used in Wolverhampton.
The move is being discussed as the battle against convoys of caravans causing chaos in the city steps up.
It comes as council bosses admitted they can’t move dozens of caravans which have been on playing fields in Penn for more than a week before next week, when a court date has been fixed.
Neighbours are furious with the behaviour of the travellers – with police having to shoot an aggressive dog at the site over the weekend.
A group of around 40 caravans also arrived at a new cemetery site in Essington on Wednesday, to the frustration of the landowner.
Bosses at the civic centre say they are considering seeking the same powers as those held by Walsall and Sandwell councils which allow them to move camps within a day.
The council’s opposition leader, Councillor Wendy Thompson, said: “I definitely think we need to look at the possibility of this injunction to get these groups off within 24 hours.
“Otherwise there are costs for the council, there are costs in terms of the quality of life of the residents and there are costs of clearing up once they have gone.”
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: “Finding a longer term solution to the perpetual problem of illegal traveller encampments is something we are actively exploring and no option is off the table.
“This is a complex and emotive issue and the various options have to be looked at very carefully.”
Dozens of caravans have been at Windsor Avenue playing fields since July 5. People living nearby have made complaints over noise from quad bikes and said toilet paper and human waste has been left in bushes.
The group of around 25 caravans was told to leave the area by 5pm last Saturday. After the order was ignored the authority applied for an eviction notice but a court date is not available until next Wednesday.
The process of moving camps on usually takes three to five days after a court order is granted. But the injunctions in place in Sandwell and Walsall allow them to move illegal camps off within 24 hours.
Penn councillor Martin Waite, added: “I think we need to have a look at our parks to make things as difficult for travellers to access as possible.
“In principle it sounds like a very sensible thing to do if it helps move things along quicker.
“It’s frustrating it has taken this long as we want to move them as quickly as possible.”
