Travellers in car park takeover
TRAVELLERS have once again set up camp in Southport. A convoy of caravans appeared on a Sefton Council-owned car park on Tulketh Street in the town centre – and it’s the not the first time an illegal camp has set up at the site.
It is a further blow for the nearby town centre businesses, which rely on the footfall from shoppers parking on the land, but who have been blocked from doing so this week by the large number of caravans and motorhomes parked there illegally.
In June of this year, a group of travellers pitched up on Tulketh Street – just days after a group of seven caravans and associated vehicles parked up at the derelict park and ride site in Kew, also owned by the council, without a permit.
Figures obtained from a Freedom Of Information request last year showed travellers set up camp more than once a month in Sefton.
The Visiter understands the convoy of caravans and other vehicles has been in situ at the Tulketh Street car park since Saturday.
Southport Liberal Democrat
councillor Tony Dawson said: “I don’t see why anyone is surprised (by the camp). Unfortunately, there is effectively no genuine Sefton MBC policy in respect of travellers.
“A policy is a clear guidance document which affects the actions of someone or something significantly – not a garbled collection of empty words.
“Sefton Council ploughs on much the same with no sense of emergency whatsoever.”
A number of people living in the town have also had their say.
Russell Kingsmill said: “I hope they have paid for their parking.
“One rule for one and another for another.”
Tania Hibbert said: “It’s about time they put barriers up (at the car park).”
Gerald Winnard said: “This reoccurring problem needs sorting out. I for one am sick of paying taxes to clean up mess left behind.”
A spokeswoman for Sefton Council said: “We are currently following the legal procedure for the removal of the travellers from the site, and will be securing a court order to facilitate this within the timescales as set out in legislation.”
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