Anger as Wolverhampton travellers camp grows
A travellers camp remains on playing fields almost a week after caravans first moved on.
Angry neighbours of Windsor Avenue playing fields are said to be unhappy the new arrivals have not been removed from Penn in Wolverhampton.
It comes as concerns are raised taxpayers will end up footing a mounting bill because of Wolverhampton council’s ‘delayed response’ to travellers in the area, which cost up to £30,000 last year.
At least 10 caravans were spotted pitching up on the green space overnight on Wednesday.
That was said to have grown to around 20 over the weekend with residents, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, saying the group had been going to the toilet in the open and lighting fires.
Conservative group deputy leader Paul Singh has since called on the council to remove the travellers from the site.
He said council bosses needed to ‘use its powers’ to immediately hand an eviction notice to the trespassers and improve security at the green space.
Councillor Singh, who represents Penn, said: “Penn residents were let down in July when the council delayed action to move the travellers on.
“This cannot be allowed to happen again and action needs to be taken now as it is within Wolverhampton council’s powers to do so.
"The delayed response from the council previously resulted in criminal damage, numerous health and safety issues and a cost of up to £30,000 to the taxpayers of Wolverhampton.”
Dozens of caravans arrived at the same space last year, sparking complaints from nearby homeowners and the public.
It was thought the travellers moved from another site in Dudley to the field at the back of Warstones Primary School.
Noise from quad bikes, as well as toilet paper and human waste left in bushes, caused concern with residents.
Families living in about 25 caravans refused to leave the site when asked by the council, with the authority forced to apply for an eviction notice to get the travellers to move on.
