Travellers camping at Fenton Manor car park to be evicted - Staffordshire

From the Sentinel

COURT action is to be taken to remove dozens of Travellers from the car park of a popular leisure centre.

Around 20 caravans, other vehicles and even a horse moved on to the Fenton Manor Sports Complex site 12 days ago.

Now Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which runs the centre, has been granted a possession order from Stoke-on-Trent County Court to allow it to forcibly evict the gypsies if they do not leave voluntarily.

The families were still at the centre last night and they were expected to be forced off the site in the next few days.

Teenage student Kasib Latif, who regularly uses the centre, said he did not want to leave his vehicle on the car park while the Travellers were there.

The 19-year-old, from Newcastle, added: "I normally drive to play basketball but I was concerned about leaving my car here.

"I think a lot of people feel the same way.

"I don't think it is right that they can just park up and take over a public car park.

"I am glad the council can now take action to get them removed."

The Travellers were occupying around half of the available parking spaces at the site off City Road with around 20 caravans.

A Fenton resident, who asked not to be names but who regularly uses the centre with his wife and two children, said: "A lot of the gypsies have been using the centre.

"When they have gone in for food they have been throwing it around and knocking drinks over.

"I was even approached by a child asking for money.

"My 12-year-old was quite intimidated by them and was even disgusted by their lack of manners.

"It hasn't stopped me using the complex but I imagine that coming out to the car when it's dark must be quite scary."

Glenn Parkes, chairman of the Fenton Community Association, said he was glad the appropriate measures had been put in place to move the Travellers.

He added: "I know that it is an inconvenience for people using the sports centre.

"When people have been using the car park they have had to huddle in one corner. The caravans have been here for quite a while now.

"It is not an ideal situation and I am pleased that arrangements are being made to move them on."

A city council spokesman said: "The council has now gained a possession order through the court which allows us to legally carry out an eviction as soon as is practicable should the families fail to leave the site voluntarily.

"Once the Travellers have left the site, we will then start to clean-up the area around Fenton Manor sports centre immediately."