Sponsored by
Werrington: Travellers moved on but concern remains
TRAVELLERS have been evicted from a car park in Peterborough, but concern remains that not enough is being done to prevent a return.
Enterprise Peterborough successfully moved on six caravans from the site in Staniland Way, Werrington, yesterday morning.
The convoy were given notice to leave the car park last Thursday, giving them until yesterday to make their exit.
Cambridgeshire police were on hand in case of disorder, but the eviction was carried off “peacefully” a spokesman for the force said, with no arrests made.
A height restriction sign at the car park, damaged when another set of travellers arrived in January, has been repaired, but there is still criticism that the site remains vulnerable to illegal campsites.
Werrington North councillor John Fox said: “I think it’s atrocious they can get a court order to evict them in a week, but we can’t build a barrier to keep them out in a week. I can’t believe the council can’t make the place secure.”
Enterprise said it was in talks with Peterborough City Council about replacing the existing barrier.
A spokeswoman said: “The current barrier has been secured sufficiently to prevent access to the site until a decision is made to replace the barrier. As an extra security measure Enterprise will be installing an earth bund next Monday along the cycle/footpath to prevent access to the car park from Staniland Way.”
Enterprise confirmed the evicted travellers were those previously moved on from a site in Belvoir Way, Welland.
Cllr Fox said while he was hopeful steps would be taken to secure the car park soon, but said the issue of illegal campsites would not be settled until a so-called “emergency stopping place” was set up to which travellers could be moved at once, bolstering existing powers.
He said: “The trouble is the police and the council have to go through the courts - their powers are restricted.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
