Travellers leave Dundee site

From the tele.co.uk

The scene of an illicit Travellers camp in Dundee has been left covered in rubbish after its inhabitants moved on.

A group of eight to 10 caravans arrived at the site, setting up in car parking spaces at Camperdown Leisure Park.

And one of the bosses of the near-by Ice Arena said they were concerned for the reputation of the entertainment complex.

The clean-up of the site has now begun with rubbish, including human waste, food packaging, building material and garden waste being carted off. It is understood the potential cost of the clean-up could run into thousands of pounds.

Maintenance staff got to work sorting though the rubbish and clearing it from the site.

Alex Cram, manager at Dundee Ice Arena, said: “The Travellers were here for about a fortnight.

“On the first day they came in asking if we had showers they could use. I explained they weren’t for public use.

“Judging from the rubbish they’ve left, it looks like they have been cutting down trees and tarmacing.

“There were between eight and 10 caravans. They had four kennels with lurchers in them. They never stopped barking.

“As soon as they arrived I contacted the Traveller liason officer at the council.

“I’m just glad they have left the area now.”

Dundee City Council and the police both spoke with the Travellers while they were camped in the area.

The camp was just the latest to hit the city in recent months with others previously reported at Riverside Avenue, Dundee Technology Park and in Claverhouse.

Mr Cram said it was important to deal with the ongoing problem of illicit camps.

He said: “It just goes on year after year and there appears to be no easy solution to it.”