Residents' relief at mass exodus from unofficial Traveller site near their homes - County Durham

From the Northern Echo

HOMEOWNERS living on an estate where travellers set up camp on their way to Appleby Horse Fair expressed relief after most of the caravans left the site this afternoon (Sunday).

The Travellers, who are en route to the annual Gypsy and Traveller gathering in Cumbria, set up camp at Startforth Park, in Barnard Castle, a week ago following the closure of an official temporary stopover site at Shawbank, which was waterlogged from heavy rain.

In response, Durham County Council opened up a former salt depot at nearby Barforth Park for them to use instead.

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