Resident anger after travellers move onto park
RESIDENTS expressed frustration after an encampment of travellers moved onto a park next to the children’s playground.
Caravans and cars drove onto West Park, off Prestbury Road, Macclesfield, on Thursday afternoon, May 23.
Officials from Cheshire East Council have visited to carry out welfare assessments and to serve
a ‘section 77 order’ telling the group they had to leave by Saturday lunchtime. But according to residents the travellers were still on site this week, leaving many concerned about going into the park and particularly the playground.
The matter has been reported to Cheshire police - as has another encampment that appeared at Lyme Green earlier on Thursday - but they say they have no power to act.
In the meantime residents have expressed their frustration.
One, who asked not to be named, said: “The park is used by many local residents and a great space for children to play. It is very unsettling and ruins the great environment of West Park. I would like to know how they got on as it as many signs to say it is under security.”
Another claimed the presence of travellers was stopping children using the playground over the Bank Holiday weekend. Travellers also set up camp in West Park two years ago, again leading to concerns from nearby residents.
A Cheshire Police spokesman confirmed the ‘unauthorised encampments’ at Lyme Green and West Park had been reported.
But they said they only have powers to move travellers on if the local authority has an official location - known as a transit site - to send them to.
Otherwise it is a matter for the landowner, whether private or, in this case, Cheshire East Council.
A council spokesman said on Friday: “We were made aware that an unauthorised encampment of four caravans and associated vehicles arrived yesterday afternoon.
“Cheshire and Warrington traveller team has visited and carried out welfare assessments.
“A section 77 order has been served asking the group to leave by lunchtime tomorrow (Saturday). Any failure to do so will lead to enforcement action via the courts.”