Coseley travellers site plan could be resurrected

Dudley Tory group deputy leader Councillor David Vickers said Budden Road would likely be considered to house travellers once again if they get back in charge.

The results of the local elections mean the Conservatives set to take control of the council.

Its previous plans for a transit site at Budden Road were ditched by Labour.

But the political uncertainty in Dudley has once again thrown the issue back into focus.

The news comes as a small group of caravans pitched up on a Dudley car park in recent days.

A temporary travellers site is wanted to give the council tougher powers to take action against those who pitch up illegally, but leaders have been unable to agree where it should go.

The plan to create the caravan site in Coseley caused outrage among residents living nearby.

Councillor Vickers said: "We need to get back in control first. I don't like the idea of putting concrete barriers everywhere.

"It will be back to the drawing board but we need to do something quickly. [Budden Road] was favoured by us last time.

"We did some work with officers and they told us it was the best site. Then Labour got into control.

"It will be on the list. Obviously it's going to be considered."

Councillor Vickers said the Tory leadership had yet to formally discuss the issue but insisted a final decision on the long-running saga would be needed soon.

He added: "It is not going to help saying we hope they don't come."

Labour leaders scrapped the plans for Budden Road in February, saying the site was "completely unsuitable". Members had identified a number of alternative sites but the locations were kept under wraps.

The two main parties were left with 36 seats each at the council house following last week's elections. The mayor, who will have the casting vote on who runs the authority, looks likely to be a Conservative.