Werrington residents livid over return of Travellers - Peterborough

FURIOUS residents have expressed their dismay after another convoy of Travellers moved onto a community car park mere weeks after the previous group left.

Councillors, business owners and users of the car park off Staniland Way, Werrington, are angry that no action was taken to prevent caravans entering the car park, which has a 2.1 metre height restriction.

A group of Travellers moved onto the car park on January 10, damaging a height restriction sign in the process, and when they left, Werrington councillor John Fox demanded a more permanent solution be found to prevent large vehicles getting onto the site.

City services provider Enterprise Peterborough said at the time “measures would be taken” to prevent further encroachment.

Cllr Fox, who has been campaigning for a permanent transit site in the city to prevent illegal encampments, is fuming after the latest development.

He said: “I am absolutely livid.

“After the last group left I asked for a temporary barrier that could go across the entrance, as the existing measures are clearly not sufficient and I made that request urgent.

“If I was a qualified welder I’d do it myself, we just need a bar that stops large vehicles, but with a key so emergency vehicles can get through.

“I think someone at Enterprise or the council needs a good kick up the backside.”

Peterborough City Council has confirmed that the Travellers have been served with a seven-day notice to vacate, meaning they will have to leave the site by Thursday.

The council could not confirm where the travellers have moved from, but locals believe they were moved on from an encampment in Reeves Way.

Enterprise Peterborough was not available for comment yesterday as its officer had not yet had a chance to go and survey the site.

Residents in the area are unhappy with caravans taking up residence in a car park used by parents and children to access the nearby William Law Primary School, as well as those using the nearby skatepark and bowls club.

There were problems caused by the last convoy after a mess was created on the car park, leading to Enterprise Peterborough installing a temporary portable toilet on the site.

One local business owner, who did not wish to be identified, said: “There were police watching them set up the camp but they did nothing to stop them. We can’t believe we have to go through this again.”