Traveller's are back!

[amazon]

NOW GONE HEADING THIS WAY .

[wolfman]

They were back again in Hazel Grove and have been moved on!!! But there are 5 caravans on a car park on Newbridge Lane Stockport. Lets hope they have not been to Marple in the past.

[tina]

Well I am shocked by this!
I thought the idea of being a traveller is that they travel and choose not to stay in one place very long?  '> Who is going to foot the bill for the work done to provide a toilet, running water etc.... Are they going to pay council tax like I have to?
And I pity the poor people who are going to have them camped on their doorstep! I hope it's not mine! '>

[wolfman]

gypsies to get permanent site

[wolfman]

GYPSIES will be slapped with ASBOs under the Council’s new campaign to stop the huge influx of travellers.
Illegal camps are costing council taxpayers nearly £100,000 a year in clean-up, security and court costs - and as the Stockport Express revealed last month, numbers in the borough have shot up, while they tumbled everywhere else in Manchester.
Now, anti-social behaviour order legislation is to be used, after repeated demands from Stockport MP Ann Coffey.
But Ms Coffey said she could not understand why ASBOs have not been used before. She said: "It’s absolutely bizarre - the anti-social behaviour legislation is just made for the travellers.
"I think it‘s because one part of the Council was using travellers legislation and seemed to be totally unaware that they could be dealt with by the ASBO, which is why we had a big meeting with them about it a year ago. It became obvious to me that it had never occurred to them.  And if they are slapping Fixed Penalty Notices on residents of Stockport who drop litter then why aren’t they issuing them to travellers?"
Travellers have caused havoc over the last year as residents complain of huge piles of rubble, noisy generators and dogs barking all night. But a new strategy, said to be the first of its kind in the country, is to be rolled out next week, involving police, anti-social behaviour officers, trading standards and environmental enforcement officers.
Steve Brown, head of Stockport’s Community Safety Unit admitted the ASBO suggestion had come from Ms Coffey’s office.
"We can thank them for the good idea but it‘s the Council and the partnership that made this idea workable.  We have spent the last few weeks sitting down and sorting out a strategy which is the first of its kind in Greater Manchester."
Stockport Council hopes the strategy use the powers of different groups to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and unlawful working practices, along with powers currently exercised by police.
Mr Brown added: "What we are doing is totally different to any other Council in the country, forming this multi-agency team enforcement team. I quite agree that it‘s about applying the same laws of the land to everybody - and we will use anti-social behaviour legislation where it’s relevant."

[tina]

They have now gone '>  Thank god!  A little mess left behind but not as bad as last time. So well done to all who complained '>

[wolfman]

Vigilante fears over travellers targeting 'soft touch' Stockport
by Alex Scapens
9/ 4/2008


RESIDENTS whose lives are being made a misery by travellers could resort to vigilante action, as human rights laws are preventing authorities dealing with the problem effectively.

That was the stark warning given at a Tame Valley Area Committee meeting, where it was said Stockport is seen as an "easy touch".

Members were discussing how to deal with the high number of travellers who have set up camp across the borough for the last 12 months - often causing noise nuisance, tapping electricity supplies and leaving rubbish strewn across the area.

One suggestion was to provide a designated Greater Manchester site, which would make it legally easier to move travellers on.

Councillor Chris Murphy said: "If something is not done successfully, soon someone is going to take the law into their own hands, people are starting to say we will do it our way. They have been in Stockport for 12 months and not moved on. They have not paid a penny in council tax, they are taking the mickey. Stockport has got to deal with it. They obviously must think it is an easy touch."

It was said plans to provide a framework to deal with travellers across Greater Manchester, are in the process of being finalised.

But Tom Wilson, area manager for the Council’s parks and recreation department, said human rights legislation meant Stockport Council had to be careful it did not end up in court.

He said: "We are hampered by the law. We have to protect the Council and make sure we don’t end up in court. That is part of the problem. If the level of public disorder escalates outside a reasonable level, we will formally approach the police and they can enact special powers to accelerate the process of recovery (of land)."

Police believe travellers use solicitors to seek legal advice to make their removal more difficult.

Inspector Norman Lawrence said: "They are very clever and know their rights. They are constantly questioning and consulting on the phone with their solicitors.

"It is a difficult situation. If there was an easy answer, they would have been moved on. It is more or less the same bunch of people moving around."

He added that to solve the problem, a co-ordinated effort from the police, the Council and other agencies across Greater Manchester was needed. It was said other problems included residents being bitten by dogs, generators making noise into the night and possession of potentially hazardous substances.

Coun Walter Brett said: "It is not easy with human rights but residents have human rights too."

[kirstie]

Hmm sorry about that! The Transport Police were adamant they'd moved on when I called yesterday morning.  Haven't had the misfortune to use Rose Hill since.

Will call again if I get chance this morning.

Can I urge everyone to call? If pester them they may do something sooner rather than later.

[tina]

Yes they are still there. We phoned the police last night to report it, they turned up and looked around. This morning they were back again and British Transport Police was there also... The rubbish is piling up already and they only been here 1 night... Generator's on all night!... Poor lady in ticket office not there (and can't blame her either!'>... The fence is still being used as a toilet.... The sooner they go the better so I can get some sleep, and have a better view out of my window!  '>

[twinkletoes]

My mum has just driven passed the railway pub and they are still there!

[kirstie]

I was gutted to see them back this morning (and thanks for the community spirit on the platform by the way - not).  

However, have just phoned British Transport Police (0800 405040) who tell me their officers paid a visit this mroning, issued a notice, and the travellers have already moved on.  Apparently they have left a mess behind (what's new), and its the responsibility of Network Rail to clear up.

Until next time...

PS - if this situation irks you, you'd do well to note the above telephone number. They always seem concerned and helpful.

[tina]

More than 15 now! '>

[tina]

OMG THEY ARE BACK!    6 CARAVANS SO FAR! '>