Travellers wreck playing fields

Andy Russell

August 22, 2007

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The camp on waste ground off Three Acres Lane, Cheadle Hulme

A TRAVELLERS' convoy has wrecked playing fields and angered residents.

The army of 60 to 70 caravans, lorries and cars took over Bradshaw Hall playing fields in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, at the rear of an estate of executive homes, 10 days ago.

Two football pitches have been rendered unplayable by the travellers' vehicles and a picturesque footpath has been churned up into a muddy road.

One mother, whose home backs onto the field, said: "It has been a very unpleasant experience. The noise of the generators and the coming and going of builders' lorries has brought havoc to the area."

Another neighbour added: "My son went out on a bike ride through the woods and found himself surrounded by travellers' children. There were no threats but the whole atmosphere is very intimidating. This is the third time in five years that they have taken over the fields. We need the council to erect some kind of barrier."

Resident Nasreen Elahi, 39, said: "They parked their lorries outside my house and when I complained, I was racially abused."

The council has been granted an eviction order by Stockport magistrates and the travellers could be moved today.

A Stockport council spokesman said: "This is council owned land and we are taking the necessary steps to recover the land."

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Forward with Frank (22/08/2007 at 09:19)

Why do we let them get away with it?

I've seen it before where they turn up in convoy, take over a field, tap in to the water and electricity and then about two months later they are gone, leaving behin gas cylinders, tyres, rubbish, wrecked cars etc.

I know what I would do with them.

paul teeque (22/08/2007 at 10:11)

These were the same travellers that left a huge mess at the old Barnes hospital housing development - residing there for over 2 months.

They get moved on and simply go back to a previous area of greenland, then the whole "eviction" process starts again.

gillykins, urmston (22/08/2007 at 10:16)

Why does it take so long to get rid of these Anti-social people? Any normal citizen would be shifted in minutes. Maybe the law could actually do something about these so called people. So called, because I witnessed a young boy squat and defacate on a public pavement whilst the mother looked on. Surely some sites could be set up for the travellers.

ace, manchester (22/08/2007 at 10:17)

Why are councils still having problems with these people? they dont pay tax or any other monies to the system and yet use all our services Etc.its time to start to impound vehicles until damage has been paid for we are such a soft touch in britain.These people come to britain to make thousands each week without paying for anything .Enough is enough.

edwards (22/08/2007 at 12:36)

an occupying army would be a more apt description. any moves to criticise them is met with the argument that they have their way of life and we should respect this. WHY, when they clearly and repeatedly do not respect ours. You are quite right, they do not pay money into any local authority or tax as all their money is earned in cash and clearly given the high value brand new vehicles they have they aint short of a bob or two. I would agree that we need a revamp of the eviction to deal with these matters within say 48 hours, surely the ASBO was set up to deal with these situations, get them evicted and banned from entering greater manchester forever.

had enough, Walkden (22/08/2007 at 13:57)

They were near where i work in stockport last year. They actually knocked down goal posts that were put up to stop them getting on the field as they had ruined it a few months before. They left big piles of rubble and bricks and also human excrement all over the pathways,

MG (22/08/2007 at 14:24)

Gillykins there are sights for travellers they are called campsites and caravan parks but you have to pay to use these.

Dave Pickup (22/08/2007 at 14:28)

Ace mate,it's their 'uming rites, innit? Actually,does anyone know where it states in the Human Rights Act that they are allowed to get away with this,or is Cherie keeping it to herself?

paul teeque (23/08/2007 at 10:22)

What on earth do they live off? Surely they can't make a living off stripped copper pipes and wiring out of old buildings?

It always shocks me at the expensive 4x4's they seem to be driving :- /

hells, Manchester (23/08/2007 at 11:46)

Why do travellers always complain at getting moved on????

gillykins, urmston (23/08/2007 at 12:39)

MG - I go camping often and never ever leave a spec of rubbish when I pack up. True - there are caravan parks they could use, but that would involve them spening money instead of just taking what they need. Its like a swarm of Locusts - devastation when they have left the scene.

Snare Drum, Ashton-under-Lyne (24/08/2007 at 16:38)

I think that bit about Cherie answers the question. I'm all for the idea of human rights but it has been taken to far and now law breakers have the rights to break the law and get away with it while those who abide by the law get kicked and spat on with no hope of their rights being considered.

Happyblue, Failsworth (24/08/2007 at 17:25)

The birch or hanging is the answer,wait,what was the problem,doesn't matter birch them,hang them,birch them while being hanged,hang them whilst being birched.

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