Police and city park rangers are preparing to evict travellers from a Birmingham beauty spot.
At least a dozen caravans invaded Woodgate Valley Country Park on Friday night. A smashed gate in Clapgate Lane allowed the travellers to enter the park as set up camp.
They are due to be served with eviction papers giving them a week to leave.
Local councillor John Lines (Con Bartley Green) said that residents were outraged at the invasion and demanding faster action.
He said: “A gate has been smashed and they have been able to get in and desecrate our lovely park.
“I have no doubt that they will leave a huge pile of mess for us to clean up, at taxpayers expense.”
He said that new laws being introduced by the new Government would make such invasions a criminal offence, rather than simple trespass.
“Those new laws can’t come soon enough,” he added.
A council parks spokesman confirmed that talks were taking place with police.
He said: “A gate was broken which opened up the park. Though we cannot be sure who broke it.”
He added that the likely action would be a seven day eviction notice as more serious measures would only be used in extreme cases.
