Council's plans to tackle unauthorised travel sites

BIRMINGHAM City Council still intends to go ahead with plans to introduce temporary sites for travellers amid a number of unauthorised encampments in city parks.

- ALEXANDER BROCK Local Democracy Reporter

The authority has said it wants to introduce a “negotiated stopping” pilot programme, which would involve an unused piece of land being used by those in the travelling community for “short term stays”.

The proposals came amid the council's ongoing difficulties with its transit sites, which are authorised areas where travellers can be directed to when in the city.

They typically provide hard standing for holding caravans, a secure boundary and basic sanitary provision, while some also provide electricity. But due to factors such as repeated vandalism and unauthorised encampments, the council's two operational transit sites have often been closed.