50 caravans on west Hull site - Yorkshire

From the Hull Daily Mail

RESIDENTS have spoken of their alarm at the growing number of Travellers arriving on their doorstep.

The number of Travellers pitched up next to Kelvin Hall Secondary School, in Bricknell Avenue, west Hull, increased from 20 to about 50 caravans after they first moved on to the site two weeks ago.

Hull City Council is this week bidding to have them removed in a hearing at Hull Magistrates' Court.

The council is hoping to be granted an Immediate Possession Order (IPO) to remove the group from its land.

July 31 update: The group of Travellers has now moved from the Bricknell Avenue site. About 30 caravans have set up camp in east Hull.

Joanne Tonkiss, who lives close to the fields, off Appleton Road, said: "The caravans keep coming and we are up to about 50 of them now.

"About ten arrived on Friday and a similar number over the weekend.

"There are also more horses in the school playing fields but the travellers deny they belong to them.

"The situation is getting worse and no one seems to be able to do anything. It seems to be getting very overcrowded."

Mrs Tonkiss is concerned about the state of the playing fields, which have recently been renovated by the school to include a cricket pitch.

She said: "As well as horses, they are using quad bikes and motorbikes on the school fields. The noise is also bad."

Another concern for residents is the human excrement left by the travellers.

Mrs Tonkiss said: "There is a real sanitation problem.

"The Travellers just go to the toilet anywhere. It's disgusting."

Kelvin Hall and Wyke College took over much of the former William Gee School playing fields and have installed new drainage systems and provided cricket pitches. Travellers arrived on the same site two years ago, which residents claim was left in a mess.

"They have been coming here for the past three or four years," said Mrs Tonkiss.

"It costs the council thousands of pounds to tidy up.

"Last time, they were riding around on quad bikes and it's the coming and going of lorries and vans that is such a problem."

Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Their numbers are growing. There are children on the playing fields but if my kids go on there, they are kicked off straight away.

"There are dogs all over the place.

"It's not fair and not right at all."

The council has confirmed it is seeking court permission to remove the Travellers from land.

An inspection will take place once the Travellers have left to survey any damage.

Nick Howbridge, assistant of service for property and assets at the council, said: "An Immediate Possession Order was issued last Thursday and a court hearing will take place this Wednesday to serve notice.

"As part of the process we will be inspecting the site once the Travellers have moved on."

The council has also been working with Kelvin Hall School, which has closed for the summer holidays.

Head teacher Sarah Smythe previously told the Mail: "We have been made aware that Travellers have moved on to the site and we are keeping in regular contact with the council to find out how the situation will be resolved."

Residents in the Boothferry Estate expressed similar concerns about caravans parked on council-owned land near Millport Drive earlier this month.

They claimed they were plagued by rubbish and noise after 30 caravans pitched up on a playing field close by.

They also said the horses, dogs and cockerels on the site kept them awake and some of the occupants defecated on the pavements.

The council successfully applied for an order to have them removed but most had already left.

The land had wooden stakes driven into the ground to stop vehicles from driving on to it but some of these were pulled out and others sawn away.

Local authorities cannot evict travellers immediately but must first assess their welfare and comply with the Human Rights Act, while proving they own the land.

Police will only get involved if there is criminal activity.