Anger at 'filthy intrusion' as travellers leave at last (From Gazette & Herald)

Anger at 'filthy intrusion' as travellers leave at last

TRAVELLERS who left hazardous waste in Wentworth Street car park in Malton ducked a court removal order by arriving the day before Christmas Eve.

Quick-acting Ryedale District Council officers handed the group a 24-hour written notice to move, the minimum amount of time which can be given, within hours of their arrival on December 23.

It stated that, if they did not comply, a possession order would be sought from the county court to re-possess the council-owned land and force them to move.

But since the county court was closed from Christmas Eve, along with the council itself, officers were unable to act until it re-opened on January 3, when they were assured by the travellers that they would move.

The travellers did indeed leave at the weekend, but left six gas cylinders, which are classed as hazardous waste, and other debris, including a mass of tissue paper, some soiled, in a corner of the car park.

Neighbouring resident Reverend Gerald Newton, who lives in Ropery Walk, said the mess was unacceptable. "They do not pay council tax. We pay excessive tax and have to endure this filthy intrusion into our daily lives. Enough is enough and it would be no surprise to me if 30 or so local residents decided to reconsider their council tax," he said.

He said he was also concerned about the Hirings Fair, which takes place in the car park, and would write to the council to complain.

Richard Etherington, the council's housing services manager, said: "At this time of the year, you can't move as quickly as you could at other times. However, they were clearly told that if they didn't go we would pursue enforcement action to reclaim the land and we haven't lost any time in taking this approach."

The situation has arisen several times in the last six Christmases, and Mr Etherington said the council had considered ways of preventing the travellers from getting on to the site just before the holidays begin.

"We have talked about what we can do to secure the car park from travellers coming in, but, in reality, because there are several entrances, whatever steps we would take we would probably stop any one else using it as a car park."

He added that he was not aware of any complaints about the Hirings fair.

Secretary of the Gypsy Council, Ann Bagehot MBE, said: "There are clearly not enough facilities, these people need somewhere to stay and if it's not being provided that's discrimination. "They are homeless people under the Homelessness Act of 2000. If the council isn't providing accommodation then it is behaving illegally."

Updated: 15:43 Wednesday, January 11, 2006