Legal action starts against a group of Travellers in Port Talbot - Neath Port Talbot

From the South Wales Evening Post

COUNCIL bosses have started legal processes against a group of Travellers in Port Talbot.

Around 15 caravans have parked up on land owned by Neath Port Talbot Council near Dock Road behind the old Magistrates Court.

Head of property and regeneration Gareth Nutt said they were dealing with the situation.

"Council officers have visited the site and started legal processes," he said.

One local businessman, who did not want to be named, said they were not happy with their sudden arrival yesterday afternoon.

"People are worried about it," he said. "They have only been here an hour and everyone is panicking."

Travellers still remain on the site of the new Swansea University campus off Fabian Way where there are around 15 caravans.

A group of Travellers have left the seafront cinema car park in Port Talbot where they had been staying.

Lynn Lewis, general manager of Reel Cinema — formerly known as Apollo Cinema — said a lot of rubbish was left behind when the Travellers left their car parked at 2pm on Sunday.

He said there were a total of 32 black bins bags which he filled up and collected from the area.

"I don't understand how someone could leave that mess," he said.

"I did not want my staff cleaning it so I came into work early and did it. I wore gloves.

"It was disgusting. It took me two hours to clean it up.

"The car park is sparkling now. Touch wood it will be back to normal now."

The caravans appeared on Swansea University land, which is the work entrance to the £250 million planned campus, last week.

On Friday a university spokeswoman said its construction partners, St Modwen and Vinci were managing the situation and liaising with local police.

They had hoped that the Travellers would be gone by the end of the weekend.

The spokeswoman added: "Security on the site will be reviewed in light of this incident."

Coedffranc West councillor Harry Bebell said he was crossing his fingers that the Travellers would be leaving soon.

He added that he had noticed litter at the site.

"There is just general un-tidiness and litter blowing around the place," he said.