Travellers set up 'unlawful' camp on St Helen's recreation ground - Swansea

From the South Wales Evening Post

TRAVELLERS have set up temporary home on a prime city site.

Six caravans are encamped on St Helen’s recreation ground on Mumbles Road.

It is the second time in as many months that travellers have set up illegal sites on land in the Swansea Bay area after caravans parked up in the grounds of Amazon’s huge Fabian Way base in July.

The latest travellers are thought to be from France with their cars carrying French number plates.

A spokesman for the Gypsy Council said: “Romany Gypsies, if that’s what they are, like to come over from the continent sometimes, the same as we go over there. We all like to travel. At least they brought some good weather with them.”

The camp, which is in full sight of the adjacent busy main road, has been set up days before the Tawe Fest, featuring Status Quo and Steps, is due to take place in nearby Singleton Park.

When approached by a Post reporter a man at the site politely declined an opportunity to comment saying that they had already spoken to the council.

As the land is owned by Swansea Council it is up to the authority to move any trespassers on.

A spokesman for Swansea Council said: “We are aware of the unlawful occupation by a number of caravans at the site. Environmental Health Officers have visited the site and the necessary inquiries are being undertaken to enable a decision on any further action.”

It is thought that a gate, which was supposed to secure the ground which is used for a series of events around the year as well as an overflow car park, was not secure.

“The gate providing access to the site has previously been forced open after it was secured,” said the council spokesman.

The council spokesman allayed fears that the camp would interfere with Park and Ride scheme to the Liberty Stadium on match days saying that the service was no longer running because of lack of demand.

Earlier this month more than 10 caravans camped outside the internet giant’s fulfilment centre in Jersey Marine, for several weeks, moved on before eviction action was started — leaving piles of waste and mess behind them. In this instance, as the land was owned by the Welsh Government, it was up to Cardiff Bay officials to move the travellers on.