Travellers removed from Autolift site in Backford after 84-day protest - Cheshire

From the Ellesmere Port Pioneer

TRAVELLERS who spent 84 days camped by a busy road have been ejected from the site.

Prajna Pranab and ‘Kazz’ had been camped out at Autolift recovery yard on the A41 in Backford since July 4, in protest against what they claim was the ‘illegal’ seizure of their motorhome.

Their motorhome was seized on the M53 near Cheshire Oaks for having no valid tax or MOT.

A fortnight after setting up camp at Backford, the motorhome was taken away and crushed.

But on Tuesday, September 25, the council applied for a court order to remove them from the land.

The couple were served with the notice of eviction and told to leave the site by 12.30pm on Wednesday.

Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman Rachel Hayes said bailiffs and court officials, accompanied by police officers there to keep the peace, attended at 12.30pm as the pair refused to leave voluntarily.

She added: “The woman was escorted off the land and stood watching with six other people while bailiffs removed property from the site.

“The man was arrested by court officials who had a warrant for non-payment of fines. Police assisted with this.”

Pranab, 52, a former officer in the Royal Marines, attended court the same day and was jailed for a week for non-payment of fines, but released on Friday after just two nights.

The couple attracted the attention of passing drivers as their camp gradually grew in size.

They lit a camp fire daily and cooked meals on a portable stove. They were forced to use nearby woods as a toilet.

Cheshire West and Chester Council spokeswoman Laura Johnson said: “On Wednesday our officers were clearing up the site and collecting the couple’s belongings which will be stored in a secure place awaiting their collection.”