How can we stop 'inventive' travellers?

11:01pm Friday 9th May 2008

Comments (13)   Have your say »

By James Connell »

DITCHES and barriers will not stop inventive travellers parking their caravans on private land, says a councillor.

Wychavon district councillor Alan Fisher wants to see travellers moved off land between Fernhill Heath and Martin Hussingtree, near Worcester.

The grassy area of land, owned by Worcester-shire County Council, has suffered as many as eight traveller invasions over the past 12 months.

The latest caravans arrived at the site - Sandway on the A38 - on Tuesday afternoon, much to the dismay of North Claines Parish Council which has discussed the possibility of spending £800 to dig a ditch to keep travellers out.

But Coun Fisher, who represents Lovett and North Claines, is not convinced that any defence will work.

He said: "We have looked at putting a ditch there before. There's a problem because underneath that piece of ground there are lots of BT lines and wires. It's not as simple as just digging it up. Historically it doesn't prevent travellers getting on. They are very inventive people.

"They just put planks over and get on. They have four-wheel drive vehicles which can get over a ditch anyway. We don't want them there because of the mess they leave. But if you get them off they come back again within a week."

He said part of the problem was that the area was in nice countryside and close to the M5 which made it attractive.

A spokesman for Worcest-ershire County Council said it was following procedures laid out by the unauthorised camping policy.

A spokesman for West Mercia police said the situation was being monitored.