Council threatens second Dale Farm eviction for families with ‘nowhere to go’ - Essex

From the Traveller Solidarity Network

Basildon Council today began legal proceedings to evict families at Dale Farm made homeless by last October’s eviction. The dozens of families, who had moved on to a private road leading up to their former homes, have been given until August 29th to appeal.

Since October’s forced eviction families have been unable to move from Dale Farm due to a lack of plots in the area — they have lived in cramped conditions without running water, regular electricity as well as sewage problems [1]. In recent months council contractors have dug up asbestos.

Mary Sheridan, a mother living on Oak Lane, said “The council and the government still will not listen, we have nowhere else to go. Why would we believing with asbestos, no running water and sewage if we had some where else to go. We want a safe place to live where our kids can go to school, is that too much ask?”

Last month, the Traveller Solidarity Network [2], who have supported families over recent years, announced plans for a demonstration on the anniversary of last year’s eviction [3]. The anniversary action on the 19th October is set to target the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Jo McGuire, Dale Farm supporter and member of the Traveller Solidarity Network, claims “The message this time last year is still the same today, these families have nowhere else to go because the council have failed to authorise any pitches in the area. The council is choosing to evict before new planning applications have been considered. These families are trying to do everything they can to keep their kids in the local school, but it seems the council just wants to clear them from the area.”

[1] http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2012/apr/20/dale-farm-eviction-video

[2] www.travellersolidarity.org

[3] http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/basildon/9767356.Eric_Pickles_faces_demo_outside_offices_on_anniversary_of_Dale_Farm_eviction/