The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Travellers camped illegally at marina refuse to budge
By-law: Families defy harbourmaster’s request to move as more pitch up
Traveller families who parked illegally at a northeast marina defied a call to leave the site yesterday.
About 10 families in caravans arrived in Peterhead on Sunday evening and refused to budge – despite being told by the port authority to clear out.
Yesterday, Peterhead Port Authority chief executive Ian Laidlaw revealed that the harbourmaster had visited the families and told them that they could not stay on the ground, near the port’s pleasure boats. But Mr Laidlaw now believes that the police will have to be drafted in to resolve the matter.
Mr Laidlaw said: “Our harbourmaster has asked them to leave under our bylaws.
“They were asked to leave by 3pm, but three more caravans arrived this morning.
“We’ll now get the police on to them because they are breaching our by-laws.
“It would be different from if they had parked on council car parks or wasteland.
“I don’t want to cast aspersions on them, but if they clear up, we would be happy to see them go.
“It has happened in the past when people have left mess for us to clear up. It can be a cost to us.”
A police spokeswoman confirmed that officers had visited the marina to talk to the families at the site.
She added: “We are aware of an encampment in Peterhead and officers have attended the site, in keeping with routine practices.”
Local councillor Anne Allan described the issue as “disappointing”.
She said: “Obviously, private land.
“If the port authority has asked them to move and it’s they don’t, then I think it is up to them to take the matter higher.”
Last year, groups of travellers pitched up at a nearby car park overlooking the picturesque marina and harbour.
Aberdeenshire Council launched eviction proceedings against the families, which prompted them to leave the area.