Call for action as travellers move on to Hotham Road North site in west Hull - Yorkshire

From the Hull Daily Mail

RESIDENTS are calling for action after Travellers returned to west Hull.

A number of caravans arrived at the Hotham Road North site, near Bricknell Avenue, on Friday.

People living in the area say some of the children have been climbing up lamp-posts and causing problems.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "They are behind bungalows and the elderly living in them do not need this kind of harassment, noise and filth.

"We called the council and we were told that they knew they would be arriving.

"Something needs to be done about it and we want action to be taken."

One woman, who lives with her husband near to the site, said the Travellers are regulars in the Barrowman pub.

She said: "We've never had them on this site before and, although it's more hygienic to use the toilets in the pub, they probably wouldn't be here if they couldn't.

"After a few caravans came over on Friday, lots came on Saturday and the Travellers were everywhere.

"I feel so sorry for the elderly people who live in the area and I've noticed they've had their lights on late into the night, which they don't usually."

The woman said she had phoned the council to complain and hopes the Travellers leave as soon as possible.

It is the third time travellers have been near Bricknell Avenue in the past year, although they've stayed on different sites.

The woman said: "They seem to have a lot of children with them and they all have bicycles and have been climbing up trees and lamp-posts.

"We don't have many children living around here and those who do are very well-behaved."

One neighbour said: "We can hear the generator buzzing away and we've seen them around here a few times."

Erica Richardson, who runs the Barrowman Pub, said she's happy to let the Travellers use her facilities.

She said: "I'm doing the Travellers and the community a favour.

"I'm having problems with residents because they don't like them coming in here but all of the regulars know them.

"If they were fighting it would be another story but everyone gets on with them and they are really friendly and polite.

"If people just took two minutes to say hello and actually talk to them they might find that out.

"But if people are nasty to them, they will be nasty back. It's just human nature."