Hagley councillor says lack of security made Traveller occupation inevitable - Herefordshire

From the Hereford Times

A LEADING Hagley councillor says a lack of security made it inevitable Travellers would occupy a village car park.

Travellers at the disused Little Chef in Hagley Travellers at the disused Little Chef in Hagley

Residents of Kidderminster Road South were shocked when around five caravans and a similar number of trucks arrived on the car park of the disused Little Chef restaurant on September 2.

The Travellers' arrival sparked complaints to West Mercia Police and Hagley Parish Council and the group was served notice to vacate the site by tomorrow (Thursday September 6).

Hagley Parish Council chairman, cllr Steve Colella, said: "If they stay after the deadline we would expect further action to get rid of them.

"The owners of the site have been in direct contact with the travellers and we will be keeping a watching brief."

Mr Colella added concrete barriers were delivered to the site to prevent access by vehicles but they were had not been put across the entrance, which made it easy for the travellers to drive onto the site.

He said: "It was always going to happen, if the site is left open it will be occupied."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "We have received reports and are monitoring the situation."