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Council moves in on caravans
Date published: 28 July 2010
TRAVELLERS have been accused of vandalism after forcing their way on to a popular beauty spot.
A blow torch was used to cut through a barrier and a gate was damaged so that around a dozen caravans could occupy land at Pingot Quarry on Crompton Moor in Shaw.
The convoy arrived at around 10.30am at the site off Buckstones Road, which Oldham Council has plans to develop into recreational land.
Council officials were quickly alerted and a 24-hour notice ordering the mob to vacate the site was served at noon yesterday.
A council spokesman said the authority was not aware of any vandalism but the site would be checked for damage.
A vehicle barrier was installed on the access road by the council earlier this year to tackle anti-social behaviour at the neighbouring Brushes Clough car park. But this is unlikely to have been damaged as it is left open during the day.
Comments
Looks like criminal damage was caused to gain entry, hard to prove who did it but reason to search the caravans on site.. The Police would probably turn up lots of things that could be traced back to other crimes.
Basically they are above the law when it comes to vandalism etc. Its about time they were dealt with accordingly. The police should have searched the caravans and at the very least, confiscated any burning equipment found. I am now informed they are camped on George street playing fields in Shaw.
It was my belief that there used to be a place for travellers at glodwick and when this are was open they didnt used to have a problem with them going into areas that they shouldn't have been in.
why don't oldham council find them another area that they can go to. One that is legal for them to stay on and they wont be causing any harm to anyone or damage to any property when trying to get to somewhere they can stay?
When is this or any other government going to get a grip with these people,firstly they should have all their benefits stopped,get a job and start paying taxes like everyone else they should pay for any damaged caused and the police should check their vehicles for tax evasion,also i'm sure that crime goes up in the immediate vacinity of their camps
The coucil should be seeking full payment from these people, and if necessary seizure of their caravans, (bet they'd find the money quick enough then!)
Patience must be growing thin with local taxpayers over the the irresponsible antics of these people. They dodge every financial responsibility that the rest of us must observe and time and time again leave a disgusting mess that local people must pay to clear up. they call themselves travelling people,for me they could travel one way off this island and never return.
I can confirm that a mess has been left in Brushes Clough quarry as well as the destroyed barrier.
Looks like the good folk of George street and the surrounding area will bear witness to similar as they are camped on the rugby pitch.
Its about time the authorities took a financial interest in these individuals to ascertain how they actually pay for their expensive vehicles and mobile homes. How much tax and national insurance has been paid etc. They have the powers to do so.
Failsworthian, there has been some plant machinery stolen in the vicinity but by whom we do not know......
the last fixed site was closed due to community violence against the travellers - why not set them up on a brown field site that can be secured and they pay site rent
Troy, brownfield site or not, we don't want these people in the borough full stop. They only leave a trail of destruction wherever they go.
Have Your Say
How do these people get away with this? They set up camp and cause a trail of destruction and/or leave a mess in which the taxpayer has to foot the bill to clear up! I have nothing against travellers and believe that areas of land should be allocated in which they can set up camp, the problem you will always have is that the public will not want them on their doorstep!
By Sin @ 28/07/2010 12:03:56