Calls for Peterborough council to move travellers on after illegal camp set up two weeks ago

The group pitched up near the Mancetter Square roundabout on the A15 two weeks ago - but no action to move them on has yet been taken.

Today one resident who lives near the camp said: “These travellers come back every year, and in the past have left a real mess.

“I am having to keep my dog in as a result, and take him on a walk in a different route.

“I have spoken to the council, who have said they can say as not enough residents have complained about them this year.

“They should be moved on.”

A spokesman for Peterborough City Council said they were still considering what action to take. He said: “We are currently working with the police to engage with the local community and ascertain the impact the site is having. To date there have been a limited number of complaints raised.

“We take concerns of residents extremely seriously and once we have completed community engagement, will consider all options moving forward including issuing an eviction notice.”

Peterborough MP Paul Bristow said it would be in everyone’s interest to move the group to an authorised site as soon as possible - and he his ‘inbox is full of residents expressing their alarm.’

Calling for the council to ‘act quickly’ he said: “It is in the interest of residents, tax payers and the travellers themselves to move them to an authorised site.

“The travellers cannot get access to refuse services, running water and sanitation when they are camped by the side of the road - those services are available at the authorised sites.”

A Cambridgeshire police spokesman said; “Officers have met with the Council and local MPs and will continue to engage with councillors and members of the public to ensure we have all the information we need.

“We would continue to encourage members of the community to report all issues and incidents to us regardless of the Covid-19 crisis, to enable us to review and assess the encampment.”