From the Hull Daily Mail
MORE residents near Boothferry Road are bemoaning the arrival of Travellers.
Last week, people living in the Boothferry estate criticised Hull City Council for failing to deal with those setting up camps illegally.
Travellers moved on to land near homes in the Boothferry Estate for the sixth time in the past two years.
They have now decamped just a kilometre away on St Thomas More School playing fields.
A neighbour who lives close to the site believes they have caused problems since setting up just before the weekend.
He said: "The Travellers have already spent the nights driving around the field, revving engines and flashing headlights.
"They have been breaking large branches off what I understand are protected trees in the area.
"Their children have been pulling scrap around the streets and I saw two children, no older than ten, smashing up a microwave on the pavement to make it easier to carry."
He was echoing the concerns expressed by other residents in calling for a change to the present situation.
He said: "This is quite disturbing, and even infuriating, for the tax-paying residents living in the surrounding housing.
"The council certainly doesn't fill me with confidence that this will be dealt with swiftly, as I understand it is a long legal process to move them on.
"Is it time for a change in the laws for dealing with this behaviour?"
The group of about six caravans and half-a-dozen horses have moved from a car park near Woolwich Drive, with more arriving.
An inquiry was launched by the council's west area committee last summer after the handling of Travellers on another site off the Boothferry estate.
Since then, an earth mound has been created to prevent vehicles entering Burnham playing fields.
The city council had already applied for an Immediate Possession Order to have the Travellers removed from the site.
The latest site is just across the boundary in the East Riding and is being dealt with by East Riding Council.
A spokesman for that authority said: "We are aware of local concerns regarding an unauthorised traveller camp on land owned by the authority and we are taking all necessary legal steps to address the issue and are doing what we can for a speedy resolution."
The council is seeking a repossession order to have the Travellers removed.
A spokesman for Hull City Council added: "The Travellers have left the Hull site after the council sought a court order to move those who had set up an unauthorised encampment.
"We have offered our neighbouring council information or support if required."
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