Rubbish left piled high as Travellers move on

RUBBISH has been left strewn across the usually scenic grassland at a park in Coventry.

Travellers are understood to have set up camp at Peggy’s Park, near to the Arena Shopping Park, on Saturday, April 30.

Enforcement officers from Coventry City Council managed to evict the group from the land on May 9 after successfully obtaining a court order.

However, black bin bags filled with rubbish remained outside the park and locals are not happy.

Harry Singh said: “They have all gone but left a pile of black bags and some in the park as well with other rubbish left as well.

“Anything could be in the rubbish they have left.

“Who is to blame if our kids get a cut or something serious with what they have left?”

Mr Singh says he is ‘relieved’ that the park is usable again, but has concerns over the cost of removing the encampment as he says “taxpayers money is being used to get them out”.

Each unauthorised encampment costs the taxpayer on average at least £1,340 to remove, according to figures released last year.

It is understood Coventry City Council has spent £229,730 removing the encampments over the previous five years.

Another nearby resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We are relieved. There have been lots of mixed feelings about it all but when it’s on your doorstep it’s not very comfortable.

“I really think this field could be used in a better way, like a children’s park with tennis courts or a skate park. So many children play out there it would be so nice for them.”

Elsewhere in Coventry, an unauthorised encampment on Hearsall Common has been served notice to leave.

It is not known when the Travellers arrived on the site but local people reported seeing the encampment on Sunday.