Southport Visiter

Residents’ fears as travellers move in

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TRAVELLERS have returned to Southport, prompting fear among residents who say that they feel “intimidate­d”.

A number of travellers have set up camp on land adjacent to Town Lane in Kew.

The Visiter understand­s that they arrived early on Saturday (August 26), with a number of motorhomes and caravans appearing on the site

One resident who contacted the Visiter said: “We felt extremely intimidate­d by the group and hurried past.

“My son was in floods of tears after being on the receiving end of some vulgar language from one of them.

“It’s a disgrace. They ‘party’ until late at night, blasting music, drinking, shouting and swearing.”

The arrival of unwanted travellers is not a new problem for Southport.

In 2016 alone, council and police officers had to serve notices to a number of illegal camps, on sites such as the Tulketh Street car parks, the Splash World car park and the former Kew park and ride site, as well as in the grounds of the former School for Hearing Impaired Children in Birkdale.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “We were made aware of the existence of travellers at Town Lane play area yesterday (Tuesday).

“As a result we are using our powers under Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to facilitate their removal at the earliest opportunit­y that legislatio­n allows”

 ??  ?? The travellers’ encampment in Town Lane, Southport
The travellers’ encampment in Town Lane, Southport

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