Shropshire Star

Legal action over travellers parked in Shrewsbury

Legal action is being taken to disperse two groups of travellers who are refusing to move from land in the centre of Shrewsbury.

Published

One group has set up pitch close to the children's play area in St Michael's Street, near to the town's fire station.

Another group, with approximately six caravans and several cars, has taken over a number of parking spaces in the town's Frankwell car park.

Both have now outstayed their welcome and have been asked to move on by police and council officials. But so far, they have failed to do so.

The group at St Michael's Street was served notice to vacate the land yesterday morning. Meanwhile, the other group, which had taken over the left hand corner of the car park, was served a notice to vacate the land late last week.

Now Shropshire Council, which owns the land, is starting court proceedings against them.

John Taylor, Shropshire Council's gipsy liaison officer, said: "The gipsy liaison team served notice on the group of travellers on Frankwell car park to vacate the land on Thursday.

"The notice period has now expired and Shropshire Council will be seeking possession of the land via the court, due to them remaining on the land."

The play area and recreation ground at St Michael's Street is owned by Shrewsbury Town Council. One local resident, who asked not to be named, said: "My grandchildren play at the play area but now they cannot because the travellers are in the way. All we want is some action taken."

Shrewsbury Town Council officers have made a number of welfare visits to the recreation area where several caravans have been sited since the weekend.

Town clerk Helen Ball said: "The town council was alerted to an unauthorised encampment at the play area and recreation ground at St Michael's Street yesterday. Council staff attended the site to undertake a welfare visit, along with Shropshire Council's gipsy liaison officer.

"A notice to quit the land has been served on the encampment to vacate the site by 5pm on Thursday. Whilst it is hoped that the travellers will leave of their own accord by that time, we will also make preparations in case they do not. Shrewsbury Town Council is drafting the necessary court papers to seek a formal eviction through the courts.

"We ask residents to be patient while we follow set procedures for dealing with such encampments and would like to reassure those living nearby that staff from both Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Council, as well as the police, will continue to monitor the site."

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