Wolverhampton travellers injunction to remain in place

The city council has been allowed to continue with the injunction after its terms were reviewed by a senior judge.

It guards 60 city sites in the city from illegal encampments and allows travellers who do pitch up to be moved on within 24 hours.

Three new sites - Aldersley Leisure Village, Bantock Park and Heath Town Park - have also been given protection and are now part of the injunction.

Council bosses were also asked to provide an update on efforts to create a transit site where travellers can legally stay.

The authority wants to create one on Gorsebrook Road, Whitmore Reans, but has faced overwhelming opposition from locals.

But as the injunction blocks travellers from a range of places in the city, judges say land must be provided for them to stay.

Wolverhampton Council has said it risks losing the injunction if the transit site doesn't go ahead.

The injunction was granted in October 2018 to last for three years but will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains suitable.

Nettlefolds Park, Villiers Primary School, two pieces of land off Wobaston Road and land at the rear of Inkerman Street have been to be removed from the injunction as, having been developed since the original injunction was secured, they were no longer considered at risk of illegal incursions.

Bizarrely, the Science Park car park remains part of the injunction despite the council planning to allow travellers to park there.

A further review is scheduled for next July.

High Court judge Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said: "It is a pleasure to find a council that is taking its responsibility so seriously and taking steps to obtain a suitable site."

As well as ensuring travellers are moved quickly, council chiefs say the injunction saves taxpayers’ money being spent on expensive court proceedings and excessive clean-up operations.

Anyone who pitches up on any of the protected sites could be arrested and imprisoned, fined or have their assets seized.