TRAVELLERS who set up camp in Melksham last week were moved on swiftly by local authorities, after a number of people expressed their anger and upset online.
A group of around ten cars pulling caravans arrived uninvited on a field behind the Canberra youth centre on Spa Road – land privately owned by local youth charity Young Melksham – on Sunday 8th May. They stayed until Monday evening when they were moved on by police.
The convoy then drove onto the park – King George V playing field – damaging the grass, and remained there until Tuesday evening after being told to leave by Wiltshire Council. The caravans have not returned since.
A council spokesperson said, “When travellers arrive on council land the welfare of the travellers is assessed against the use of the land in question, and a decision is then made on whether or not to tolerate the encampment.
“If they were told to move and refused, the council would follow Home Office guidance on the best way to enforce the council’s decision, which could include removal in partnership with the police.
“If travellers settle on someone’s private land they should seek legal advice and notify the local police force.”
A number of local people took to Facebook to share their anger at the damage caused by the travellers.
One anonymous comment said, “Whilst I agree they have rights, so do those that are forced to put up with it. If they did not cause any damage to the grass and surrounding areas and cleared up their mess before they left then I suspect most would not have an issue with them however, it has been proven time after time that, they destroy the area they inhabit and leave a pile of [rubbish] behind that someone has to A: pay for and B: clean up.”
Another concerned parent wrote, “Our children deserve to use that park area to play. It isn’t a camping site and doesn’t have the right facilities to deal with their waste. They can be very intimidating and I certainly won’t be taking my daughter to the park until they are gone!”
