Brighton allotment owner claims Travellers blocking gardeners from their plots - Sussex

From the Argus

AN allotment owner claims gardeners have been blocked from accessing their plots after Travellers parked at the entrance to the land.

Bill Wood arrived at Lower Roedale allotments in Hollingdean, Brighton, yesterday morning to find 15 to 20 caravans blocking the entrance to the site.

The 77-year-old said he wanted to check on his plot to survey the damage caused by St Jude’s storm but did not feel safe going past the encampment.

He said: “I was told to just walk past them, but you do not want to take a chance.

“It is an imposition. I just want something done about it.

“None of us can do anything on our allotment sites.”

Keen gardener Mr Wood said the encampment had also managed to spill over onto the adjoining sports pitch.

He feared football fixtures would be cancelled if the Travellers were not moved by the weekend.

He added: “They have taken the fence down and gone onto the pitch.”

A spokesman for the council said staff were working with the police to take action.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Police are aware of a group of caravans in Lynchet Close car park who arrived on Monday around 10am.

“A call was received at 9.10am this morning to a report they were blocking access to the allotments and officers have today visited.

“Police are working with the landowners, Brighton and Hove City Council, and the Travellers while they are on the site.”

It is unclear if the Travellers are the same ones who took refuge in the car park at Asda Hollingbury on Sunday night.

About 20 caravans parked along the back wall of the car park as St Jude’s storm hit the city.

But they left the site at about 8am on Monday morning after the worst of the storm had passed