Carlisle residents' anger at mess left behind by Travellers - Cumbria

From the News and Star

Dozens of Travellers last week descended on the Willowholme area of Carlisle, setting up camp on a playing field owned by the city council.

They have now been forced to leave the site but left behind a mountain of unsightly rubbish including dirty nappies, gas canisters and empty alcohol cans.

The Travellers were served with an eviction notice on Monday June 10, giving them 24 hours to leave. Residents who live nearby said they did not leave until Saturday, about a week after they arrived.

Residents and workers in the area were appalled by the state that the playing field, where the caravans were parked, was left in. They say that tougher rules were now needed to protect communities.

The rubbish was still on view yesterday as the clean-up operation got underway.

Terry Jones, 78, of The Barrel House, contacted the city council with his concerns.

“I have received an acknowledgement,” he said. “They slowly went about taking legal action. I will say they have acted but it has been too slow. If they had a pro forma court order then they could do it more quickly.

“Past experience with the council is that you can give them evidence but they are not interested. If they were well-behaved Travellers paying a commercial rate then I would not have a problem. It has happened before on a smaller scale.

“Businesses are clearly anxious and it lowers the whole tone of the area. Also fly tipping like this attracts other fly tippers.”

There are also fears with some businesses that the state of the area may drive customers away.

Derek Winter, owner of Winters Caravans on the Willowholme Estate, said: “Why should council rate payers have to clean up after them? Not only that but the gate was locked so to me they have broke in. It is just ridiculous.

“I know the council can’t help it if they just pull up but it shouldn’t need a court order to get them moved – they should get fined. They know nothing will happen to them.”

A Carlisle City Council spokesman said: “We took action as soon as we became aware of the issue and we followed the usual legal process. The clean-up of the site is now underway.

“A notice was served where they were asked to leave last Monday, giving them 24 hours to move on. They didn’t do this so we went to take out a court order last Wednesday with the hearing set for the next possible date of tomorrow. In that time period they have moved on.”