Travellers leave planks, tiles and damaged trees after setting up illegal camp in Walsall
Planks of wood and broken tiles make up the piles of rubbish left behind by travellers who set up an illegal camp in Walsall.
Around 15 caravans and vehicles moved onto Anchor Meadow, in Aldridge, last week.
The group left earlier this week, but a mound of rubbish was left dumped at the site, angering residents.
It comes as a surge in illegal camps has hit the borough in recent weeks.
Wendy Morton, MP for Aldridge-Brownhills, visited Anchor Meadow on Friday to see the site first-hand and speak to residents to get their views after receiving complaints about illegal settlements.
She added: "I have been contacted by a number of residents over the past few days and weeks regarding a group of travellers who have been able to hop from site to site seemingly with impunity within Aldridge and across my constituency.
"I have been working with local councillors to see how this continuing circle can be broken as it is time that Walsall Council put the needs and views of local residents first."
It recently emerged that around £15,000 has been spent so far this year on clearing up and securing sites after travellers.
The figures were released following a question to Full Council asking for the cost of managing and cleaning up after travellers, especially between Stubbers Green Road and Lichfield Road, near Shelfield.
There have been camps set up around the borough since spring, including ones at Aldridge Airport, Goscote Lodge Crescent and off Stubbers Green Road prompting a flood of complaints.
Walsall Council is looking to create almost 30 permanent new spots over the next few years to increase existing locations.
The authority has carried out a review of land and a report says a shortage of authorised sites can lead to illegal camps.
Existing official traveller sites are mainly on land in Willenhall Lane and Trentham Cottage, with more than 30 locations.
Other areas now being considered are part of Goscote Lodge Crescent, Goscote Copper Works, Poplar Avenue, old Darlaston Multi-Purpose Centre site and Broad Lane Gardens, Bloxwich.
It forms part of a draft site allocations document drawn up by council bosses which is due to go out to public consultation.
