Anger over Traveller camp on Burnley park - Lancashire

From the Burnley Express

TRAVELLERS have sparked fury after setting up camp on a children’s play area in Burnley.

Around 30 caravans and vehicles forced their way onto the park off Ighten Road late on Thursday.

Residents reacted angrily to the camp and have called on local councillors to take swift action to throw the Travellers off the land.

Bosses at Burnley Council were expected in court today to get a possession order and move the Travellers on.

Coun. Charlie Briggs, who is Gannow ward councillor, said: “They started going on to the land on Thursday night. I started getting phone calls about it at around 7pm.

“They came and moved the boulders to get onto the park. It is council land and they have broken in to get on there.”

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “Council officers visited the site on Friday, told them they are on council land and asked them to leave. We will be going to court today to apply for a possession order and then arrange for bailiffs to get them off the site.”