Travellers move on to park-and-ride site at Ironbridge - Shropshire

From the Shropshire Star

The campers moved to the car park at the top of Jiggers Bank last night after being moved on from the Alumasc on Halesfield Business Park by police and bailiffs.

It is preventing people from using the parking spaces set aside for people who visit the town to see the Iron Bridge and other Gorge attractions.

A second group of Travellers has also set up camp on land at Stafford Park. Representatives of businesses in the area said caravans had been parked on the side of the road on Stafford Park 12, which they said presents a danger to motorists.

Officials at Telford & Wrekin Council have been made aware of both groups and were today in discussions with police.

The car park at Alumasc was taken over by Travellers over the weekend after they took down a barrier to gain access.

Phil Holmes, from Alumasc, said: “They went last night, the police came down with bailiffs and moved them on. What we now understand is on leaving they’ve moved on to the park-and-ride.”

James Stevens, from Rex Stevens Transport Ltd on Stafford Park, said every time a business is forced to evict Travellers from their premises, it costs them £1,000 with an added clean-up cost which can stretch to twice as much.

Charlotte Dade, a spokeswoman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We will be asking the police to use their powers to move the Travellers.

“If the police are unable to get them moved, the council will go through our usual channels.”