Travellers prompt better fencing call for riverside - Herefordshire

From the Ledbury Reporter

A CLEAN-UP and improved fencing is being planned at a local beauty spot where Travellers camped for a family get-together.

Travellers arrived at Riverside Walk, off Ledbury bypass, on Sunday, September 22, and were handed a notice to quit last Friday, October 4, by Herefordshire Council officers.

At the time, there was an encampment by the river Leadon, on Riverside Walk, and another across the road, off Ledbury bypass. A group near the river has since moved, but a camp off the bypass was still there yesterday.

The matter was discussed at a full meeting of Ledbury Town Council last week when Councillor Liz Harvey, a Herefordshire councillor for Ledbury, said: “We hope they have had their family get-together and can now move on and enjoy their travelling lifestyle.”

Several town councillors expressed concern that old fridges had been spotted at Riverside Walk, although it was hoped that these were for scrap metal and would be taken away.

There is a gap in the fencing around Riverside Walk, and Coun Paul Winter asked whether Herefordshire Council would fix it once the Travellers have gone.

He said: “Undoubtedly there will be rubbish, but will Herefordshire Council workers be down there to clear the rubbish up?”

Coun Harvey said: “We want proper fencing between the gate and the tree line. As far as a clean-up is concerned, yes, there will be a clear up, but it won’t happen instantly.”

Several of the Travellers have horse-drawn caravans and, in response to fears that Herefordshire Council is to stop grass cutting in public places as a cost-cutting measure, Coun Martin Eager joked: “Perhaps Herefordshire Council can use the Travellers’ horses to cut the grass?”

Speaking this week, Herefordshire Council spokesman, Carla Preston, said: “We will visit the site over the next couple of days to see whether they are still there and, if so, what further action might be required.”