Travellers in Marshgate Drive, Hertford, to face court action - Hertfordshire

From the Mercury

TRAVELLERS who have illegally moved on to a site in Hertford are due to be taken to court tomorrow (February 27) in an attempt to evict them.

A number of caravans arrived at two locations in Marshgate Drive on Thursday morning.

Fourteen of them, which had settled at the derelict Transco land, left at the weekend after being served an eviction notice.

However, two that had based themselves at the East Herts Council-owned car park and were meant to leave on Monday were still there today.

The district council, which has been sorting out the issue with Hertfordshire Constabulary, will tomorrow go to court to seek an application for possession of the car park.

If the court agrees, they can order the remaining Travellers to leave within 21, 14, seven days or immediately.

A spokeswoman for the council said today: “We want the court to rule they have to leave immediately. Then we will serve an order on the group.”

The two caravans in the car park were the first to appear on the scene when the Travellers moved in.

The council spokeswoman said: “Two Traveller caravans arrived at the Marshgate Drive car park in Hertford on Thursday morning.

“East Herts Council reacted quickly to block the entrance until legal action for their removal could commence.

“This prevented a further influx of caravans from gaining access to the car park.

“Other caravans went on to set up on the nearby Transco site.

“The council and police are working closely together to resolve the matter and keep local businesses and other key parties informed.”

East Herts Chief Inspector Gerry McDonald said: “We have had an excellent joint working partnership with East Herts Council, who I found were willing and would go the extra mile to look for a solution to deal with this issue.

“The council put extra resources in and in essence this is testament to our partnership working in which, when required, people come up to the mark.”

The last time Travellers came to the district in 2011 and set up an illegal camp in Birch Green, the police and the council fell out over how to deal with them and they remained in the field for some weeks.

The Traveller family later appealed to have a site there, but their case was dismissed.

Chf Insp McDonald said: “We have learnt from previous incidences and built upon a great working relationship that has come forward from that.”

Some Marshgate Drive residents did not even realise that Travellers had moved into their road until the Mercury knocked on their door.

A man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Travellers do need somewhere to stay but they need to do it properly.

“I know some people get upset about Travellers.

“I think if they are staying there illegally they will have to move.”

A woman who worked in the area said: “I would imagine it would be quite concerning for the residents.”