Travellers set up new camp in Dundee after being served with eviction order

From the Courier

An illegal encampment of Travellers on the outskirts of Dundee was yesterday given 24 hours to leave — but appear to have now regrouped near the city’s airport.

Sheriff officers served an eviction order on the group, who had occupied a section of Jack Martin Way on the Claverhouse Industrial Estate for around a week.

The camp was made up of around 30 caravans, as well as vehicles including a small digger thought to be used for driveway and landscaping work.

The order named individual Travellers, as required by law, and ordered them to quit the area within 24 hours of the notice being handed over.

Dundee City Council had to obtain the eviction order, which was granted by the city sheriff court on Monday. The court granted the council’s request for it to be issued straight away.

Travellers have today been seen near the airport. The Courier has also seen evidence of large piles of rubbish and rubble left behind at Jack Martin Way.

Before the notice was served, the council made efforts to secure other sites, including a previously occupied section of the industrial estate off Charles Bowman Avenue where the Travellers had left behind around 150 tons of rubbish.

A council spokesman said: “A number of council-owned sites nearby have had security upgraded to try and prevent Travellers from illegally occupying them.

“If those individuals are still illegally occupying the land 24 hours after being served with the notice, sheriff officers will move to evict them.”

see also: Cllr Fraser Macpherson - Another Travellers’ encampment as occupation of site next to airport takes place