Unauthorised Encampment in Wootton Green Likely to be 'First of Many' Unless Action Taken Say Lib Dems (North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats)

North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats <bedford@bedfordlibdems.org>

Unauthorised Encampment in Wootton Green Likely to be 'First of Many' Unless Action Taken Say Lib Dems

April 17, 2008 5:09 PM

Liberal Democrats have warned that a traveller encampment that appeared at Berry Farm in Wootton Green will be the 'first of many' if the council does not take action to protect the site. Lib Dem Councillors have previously highlighted the need for a height restriction barrier at the Berry Farm car park to prevent such encampments, and are now stepping up their calls for immediate action. The Lib Dems have also criticised Bedford Borough Council for leaving the site for over a week before clearing up the mess left by the encampment.

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Wootton Ward Coun Tim Hill had previously alerted council officers to the need for height restriction barriers before the recent encampment arrived. Commenting on the issue, he said:

"I take no pleasure in being proved correct over the vulnerability of the Berry Farm car park to unauthorised encampments. The recent encampment there caused a great deal of distress to local residents, and a significant amount of rubbish was left on the site after the travellers left. Clearly the car park is a completely unsuitable place for traveller encampments, and height restriction barriers to prevent large vehicles accessing the site are needed immediately, together with other protection to make the site more secure. If no action is taken, then I am afraid that the recent encampment will be the first of many.'

The site was only cleared up by Bedford Borough Council this week, over a week after the traveller encampment had moved on. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Wootton Ward Coun Judith Cunningham said:

"By leaving the site in the state in which it was left after the traveller encampment moved on for over a week, the council has shown a complete disregard for local residents and everybody who uses the car park. The delay in cleaning up the site was simply inexcusable.'

"This encampment is further proof that the council must provide new permanent and transit sites for gypsies and travellers in order to end the merry-go-round of moving travellers from one deeply unsuitable site to another every few days. This situation serves no-one."