Concrete blocks installed at parks across Dudley to halt illegal traveller camps

The heavy blocks were laid down around Withymoor Park, Amblecote, yesterday morning.

It forms part of the controlling Labour group’s plan to tackle traveller incursions – which cost tax-payers £150,000 a year in clean-up and legal costs.

The blocks are seen as a temporary measure while Dudley Council finds a location for a permanent traveller site.

Other parks around the borough will have concrete bollards installed in the coming weeks, in the run up to the traveller season this summer, council bosses say.

Some parks already have bollards from previous years.

Councillor John Martin, cabinet member for highways and environment, said £80,000 has been set aside for the project.

There is no time-limit on how long the blocks will be in place, he added.

Dudley Council leader Qadar Zada said: “This is our immediate strategy to tackle illegal traveller camps while we look for a permanent traveller’s site.

“We said we were going to take concerns of residents seriously and despite the interventions by the Conservatives, we have delivered on our promise of implementing preventative measures to vulnerable parks.”

Over the coming weeks, concrete blocks will be installed at ‘vulnerable parks’ elsewhere in the borough, said Councillor Zada.

Next in line is a park in Woodside, said Councillor Zada. This will be followed a park around Lister Road and then one by Milking Bank.

Meanwhile, the council is looking to find a location for a permanent traveller site.

One source has told the Express & Star that the council has identified three potential sites.

The permanent travellers site is the Labour group’s answer to finding a long-term solution. They axed the Conservative’s plans for a temporary site in Budden Road, Coseley, after taking power of the council in September.

Opposition leader Councillor Patrick Harley said: “These concrete bollards should really be used as a last resort.

"We would have had a temporary travellers site in place approved by the Secretary of State.

"Concrete bollards in the first instance are effective in the first instance but if travellers are determined they will move them out of the way.

"The bollards are making our parks and open spaces look like a concrete jungle and they should be used as a last resort. The council should finding suitable temporary site for travellers."