Travellers on Burnley former high school ‘will quit site today’ - Lancashire

From This Is Lancashire

A GROUP of Travellers who set up camp at a former Burnley high school were expected to leave today.

Residents reacted angrily after around 12 caravans and other vehicles arrived at the old Ivy Bank High School site in Byron Street on Wednesday.

It is not known how the Travellers got into the site but it is thought that they may have broken the locks on the gate.

Lancashire County Council issued a notice for them to leave by 4pm yesterday but one of the Travellers said they would move off the land today.

He said they were only passing through Burnley and may move on to London.

Laura Barrett, who lives opposite the school, said she had spoken to the council about the problem.

She said: “We’re not happy about it.

“We’ve had kids knocking on the door and running off, we don’t know what else will happen.

“Someone from the council said they would be gone by 4pm but I’m not sure, it might take up to a week.”

Neighbour Vera Crorken said: “How did they get in in the first place? They gates have always been closed, they must have broken in.

“I’ve had a little one shout at me already.

“I have lived here all my life and kids here would love to play on this area here but they’re not allowed.

“I certainly don’t want anything to do with them. It’s a disgrace that this has happened. They’re going to leave such a mess.”

Neighbour Janet Hill agreed, saying: “I don’t think they should be there. I can’t understand how they got there.

“Our kids are not allowed on there but they’re there. It’s not fair, we’re not happy.”

Phil Jeffrey, estate surveyor for Lancashire County Council, said: “We are aware of this issue and are working with the police to resolve it.

“We have already served notice demanding that they leave the site by 4pm.

“The gates are usually padlocked and there are security arrangements in place for the site, including regular patrols.

“We are looking into how this group got onto the site.”