FED-UP residents are considering paying from their own pockets to stop travellers camping on their doorstep.
Over the past week travellers have pitched their caravans in Warwick on Hampton Road, neighbouring Tapping Way on the Chase Meadow estate, and at Hatton Park.
Chase Meadow Residents’ Association facebook page has seen complaints about blocked pavements and discarded rubbish.
One said: “There was stuff all over the pavements and the road. Dogs running free off the leash and kids standing in the road chatting. The amount of rubbish bags piled up by the caravans was terrible – they should be made to pay for the clean up cost.
“I’d rather pay to employ someone to man a gated access than have to pay to clear up after these people.”
And residents at Hatton Park are suggesting funding a barrier to stop travellers entering the green space on Birmingham Road, opposite the petrol station.
Some say they would be happy to work with the council and pay towards fitting barriers or deterrents to keep travellers off the land.
Warwick District Council has acknowledged residents’ concerns and say it is looking at ways to stop travellers setting up camp at certain sites.
Coun Peter Phillips is the district’s housing spokesman and says he has received some 50 complaints about the encampment on Hatton Park.
He told the Observer: “Our aim must be to prevent the illegal encampments in the first place, but we have also asked officers and the Police & Crime Commissioner to produce a straightforward guide for everybody as to the measures available when such an encampment happens.
“I have received 50 or so emails and comments on Facebook related to the current encampment on private land in Hatton Park.
“It is of the greatest frustration to residents and councillors that they see acts of vandalism and trespass and find that the law doesn’t allow immediate remedies. While on average we generally do well in the district in moving illegal encampments in under five days, this is of no consolation to the affected communities, and we are always looking for ways to make this shorter.
“We will continue to work on longer-term solutions such as transit sites and permanent pitches.”
Prevention of illegal encampments is set to be discussed at the council’s executive meeting on Wednesday March 8.
