'National change' to law needed to stop illegal camps, says councillor

TRAVELLERS LEFT GEDLING PARK IN 'REVOLTING' STATE, HE CLAIMS

- By LAUREN MONAGHAN Local democracy reporter

A COUNCILLOR says “national change” needs to happen over traveller encampments after a Gedling park was used by caravans twice this summer.

The caravans were spotted on the cricket field in Jubilee Park on Burton Road, Carlton, again in the past week. The group moved on August 19.

In June, the park had to be closed for inspection and cleaning after travellers camped there. Gedling Borough Council secured a court order requiring the travellers to leave the park by midday on June 20.

Trent Valley borough councillor Mike Adams (Con) said he first became aware of the second encampment at the park on August 15 after a resident contacted him. He said the lock of the gate to the site had been broken.

Councillor Adams said that security at the park should be increased, but “national change” to legislation for travellers needed to happen to allow councils the “immediate ability” to ask them to leave sites.