The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Anger as ‘health hazard’ left on field used by travellers
Residents and councillors said human waste was left on a field after caravans were moved on
Residents and councillors have spoken of their anger after rubbish including human waste was left when travellers were moved on from a field.
A number of caravans set up camp on land at Mancetter Square, Lincoln Road at the beginning of the month.
Enforcement action was taken by Peterborough City Council on Friday, with a site on Potters Way with running water and sanitation set up for the group - but they did not move until after the weekend.
As they moved on, they left behind piles of rubbish and waste, including used toilet roll, human waste and gas cannisters.
Residents and councillors have reacted angrily over the length of time it took to both move the group on, and the state of the land that was left behind.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said the site was a ‘health hazard.’
She said: “I biked on the public footpath close to the area and found human waste and toilet paper. This area should be closed off to the public during the coronavirus pandemic. I am hoping the council will act on this to protect the general public.”
Paston and Walton ward councillor Nick Sandford said: “There has been rubbish left on the land, and one woman has seen a man urinating in the bushes.
“I am disappointed it took so long to take action.
“The land has been used by travellers in previous years, and we have put fences and bollards up, but they have been broken or moved.
“We have had some success in the past with other methods - on the junction of Marholm Road and Lincoln Road, there was land which often had travellers move on.
“The council put some prickly bushes in, and it seems to have made a difference.”
Fellow ward councillor Simon Barkham said: “The council have acted according to policy and due diligence with regard to Covid19.
“Travellers are in the ‘at risk’ group so some difficulty posed itself as to where to move them on to.
“Residents have most certainly contacted me for reassurance the situation is being dealt with and I’m hoping to meet with the relevant officers soon to assess what security improvements can be made.”
A council spokesman said work to clear the site started when the land was vacated.
‘I biked close to the area and found human waste and toilet paper’