Travellers move back in
1:28pm Friday 16th May 2008
TRAVELLERS are back on private land - days after another group left.
Travellers left the grassland between Fernhill Heath and Martin Hussingtree on the A38 on Sunday.
But another - bigger - group of eight caravans arrived on the site yesterday, to the frustration of North Claines Parish Council, which expects more invasions over the summer.
John Carter, chairman of the parish council, still believes a ditch could keep the travellers out, but Wychavon district councillor Alan Fisher believes the travellers will simply lay planks over it.
Mr Carter said Worcestershire County Council, which owns the land, was "dragging its heels" over the problem of traveller invasions.
It had cancelled a meeting at County Hall in April and had not rescheduled it.
Mr Carter said: "Nobody wants to know and everyone passes the buck. The caravans there now are more like mobile homes - they wouldn't be able to get them across with a ditch."
Plans were discussed to split the £1,400 cost of a ditch three ways between North Claines Parish Council, Hindlip Parish Council and Worcestershire County Council, but Hindlip has since pulled out.
A spokeswoman for Worcestershire County Council said highways officers and police would meet the travellers next week to discuss a solution.
She said: "It is vital that the solution that is decided upon does not compromise highways safety."