Anger as travellers set up illegal site on shore
Residents in Newton-on-Ayr say they’ve been let down again by the council- after another group of Travellers pitched up an illegal site.
The group are understood to have taken up residence on Newton shore and they were recently joined by another five caravans.
And news of the Travellers’ arrival in the area has been met with dismay by the Newton Tenants Association.
A spokesperson said: “We have been on at the council for weeks about Travellers setting up a campsite on Newton shore with no joy.
“We are really fed up with the whole situation and getting nothing but the run- around.
“We still don’t have any answers from the council as to why they’ve not been moved on.”
Earlier this year the tenants association was up in arms when Travellers set up camp on the old railway sidings in Weir Road.
It was the second time this year Travellers moved onto the site- in February a previous settlement was in place at Weir Road.
That second settlement was all the more galling for local residents as the Travellers bypassed earlier security measures, which were put in place by the local authority, to gain access.
The Tenants Association spokesperson added: “It is an illegal site and they should have been moved on weeks ago..”
A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: “The Council has been managing the unauthorised encampment on the public road at Newton Shore and maintaining ongoing contact with the encampment to check the condition of the area.
“When dealing with any unauthorised encampments, the Council has to take account of national guidance, and must consider the impact of the encampment when deciding on the most appropriate course of action.
“The encampment recently increased in size and the group have been asked to vacate this area.
“If they fail to do so, then the Council will commence legal proceedings.”
We still don’t have any answers from the council as to why they’ve not been moved on.”