11:10am Friday 9th May 2008
DITCHES should be used to keep messy travellers off private land, says an angry parish councillor.
Travellers have again set up camp on the Sandyway on the A38 between Fernhill Health and Martin Hussingtree, near Worcester.
Two caravans arrived at the site, owned by Worcestershire County Council, on Tuesday afternoon.
Jacqueline Broadrick, a member of North Claines Parish Council, said the council recently met police to discuss the problem - but a ditch could cost the parish council as much as £800.
"There should be a ditch or a barrier sooner rather than later," she said.
"It's spoiling the entrance to the village. It's not just that, it's pulling on resources.
"It's not fair on the ratepayer. It's becoming a nuisance."
She said Mike Lovatt, who maintains the area and mows the grass for the parish council, was unable to get onto the land.
Mrs Broadrick said travellers had invaded the site as many as eight times over the last 12 months. One group had used the site to sell puppies to passing motorists.
Alan Fisher, a Wychavon district councillor for Lovett and North Claines, said that last year the travellers left behind rubbish and human and animal excrement and were intimidating children walking to school and to people who were returning from the pub.
A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said the authority had spoken to the travellers.
"We have visited the site and have been assured that they are moving on this weekend," he said.
A spokesman for West Mercia police said: "We have spoken to the travellers and we are aware that they are planning to move in the not too distant future.
"We're not taking any action but we are in touch with the local authorities who are monitoring the situation."
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