Travellers in shadow of Hull's KC Stadium to be evicted from Walton Street car park - Yorkshire

From the Hull Daily Mail

TRAVELLERS who have set up camp in the shadow of the KC Stadium are set to be evicted. A number of caravans moved into Walton Street car park in west Hull earlier this week.

Residents have complained to Hull City Council, while the nearby New Walton Street Club says it is concerned Travellers will attempt to use its facilities.

Last night, the local authority said steps are being taken to have the group removed.

Mark McEgan, the council’s area director, said: “We’re aware that Travellers have set up an illegal encampment on the Walton Street fairground land.

“We have started our internal procedures, working with our multi-agency partners, in dealing with unlawful encampments.

“We will continue to monitor this area and would encourage any residents with concerns to report them.”

There has been a long-standing problem regarding illegal camps in the city, particularly in west Hull.

People living on the Boothferry estate have seen Travellers come and go several times over the past couple of years.

An inquiry was launched by the council’s west area committee in 2012 after the handling of Travellers on a site off the Boothferry estate.

Despite the council taking court action to have the Travellers removed, questions were raised over whether the situation could have been better handled.

There have been concerns raised over the amount of time it takes to remove Travellers from sites where they have set up illegally.

In 2012, about 30 caravans parked on the council-owned playing field near homes in the Boothferry estate for four weeks, when residents complained of piles of rubbish being dotted around the field.

Indeed, 2012 proved a particularly challenging year with the council effectively playing a game of cat and mouse with Travellers. They would move on shortly after the council began court proceedings.

During that summer, Travellers camped at Kelvin Hall School, playing fields at the Boothferry estate, the site of the former Lambwath School, off Saltshouse Road, east Hull, Haltemprice Street and the Amy Johnson regeneration site in west Hull.

Travellers have provoked further anger by breaking through on to land. Last year, Hull North MP Diana Johnson called for police to investigate criminal damage at a park occupied by Travellers. A gate and lock were damaged shortly after the group of about a dozen caravans arrived on council land off Kesteven Way, north Hull.

By occupying land close to homes, the Travellers provoked criticism from residents. But those representing Travellers have argued the council needs to provide more legal sites for Travellers to occupy.