Watch above: Travellers in Longbridge
New powers to evict travellers within 24 hours and save taxpayers money are being investigated by city bosses.
Walsall council recently became the third in the country to adopt new county court injunctions and used them to evict an illegal camp at Delves Green Common within a day.
The new injunctions cover specific parks and playing fields - 12 of Walsall’s most frequently abuses sites, including Walsall Arboretum, were identified in its injunction.
Now, Birmingham’s environmental health department, which has been monitoring events in Walsall, seems set to follow suit and staff are identifying the most targeted parks.
By swiftly moving on the travellers they will save money and through lower security and clean up costs as well as remove the problem.
Department head Mark Croxford said: “The use of injunctions to protect land from repeated incursions of unauthorised encampments is something that Birmingham has also been considering. The application of these powers is not tried and tested for this purpose so we will continue to work with our legal services and seek advice from colleagues in adjacent authorities.
“It is hoped we can pilot some injunctions on council land commonly used for unauthorised encampments and that the use of these powers can protect residents and sites that are adversely affected. It should also save significant amounts of money for the council in terms of officer time, cost of security measures at affected sites, and in clean-up costs.”
Bartley Green councillor Des Flood (Cons), is among those who have called on the council to act.
He said:”We need increased powers to deal with travellers who have caused big problems all across our city, including my own ward in Bartley Green and neighbouring Weoley Castle.”
Last month 43 caravans set up camp at Fox Hill Park in Weoley and left a trail of devastation in their wake.
Cllr Flood added: “It’s a disgrace. I have had residents ring me and call for action and they ask why their children are being prevented from using their local parks and play areas because of these travellers.”
He said that residents too often feel the travellers are given an easy ride by the authorities and therefor the council needs to step up its efforts.
“The city council needs to be more robust with their approach to travellers, to ensure that local communities are not suffering as a result. Walsall have used the powers available to them to protect their amenities and communities, and we should take their lead.
“Why didn’t our city Council act with the same vigour as Walsall, much sooner, so we could have prevented the misery that has been placed upon local communities in the city over the summer?”
