TRAVELLERS REMOVED WITHIN 24 HOURS THANKS TO NEW WAY OF WORKING
Bailiffs have removed a group of more than 50 travelling families from the West Bromwich Street car park in Oldbury.
It’s the second time in less than a week that Sandwell Council has used a new joint protocol with West Midlands Police to remove an unauthorised encampment within 24 hours.
Travellers were also removed from Haden Hill Leisure Centre car park last Friday - the day after they arrived - thanks to the new way of working.
A group of caravans that moved from the West Bromwich Street car park today were later removed from Portway Lifestyle Centre’s car park.
All of Sandwell’s leisure centre car parks are currently closed to vehicles to prevent further unauthorised encampments.
The West Bromwich Street car park in Oldbury will be open from 6am tomorrow (Tuesday 14 February) – access will be blocked until then.
Anyone who is parked there must move their vehicle before 7pm this evening.
Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Steve Eling said: “It’s good to see our new joint protocol, which gives the council power to use bailiffs to remove travellers much more swiftly, working so well.
“We now have the job of clearing up the mess and rubbish left behind at the West Bromwich Street car park which will be open again tomorrow (Tuesday).
Council staff will secure the site against this happening again.” Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for leisure Councillor Richard Marshall said: “We know how frustrating these encampments are for residents and businesses, and I want to reassure people that the council is taking this seriously and taking action quickly.
“The council has spent around £400,000 over the past year or so clearing up after unauthorised encampments and this needs to stop.”
Councillor Paul Moore, cabinet member for regeneration and investment, said: “We have secured dozens of parks and open spaces to stop caravans being put on there. We’re now working on identifying a transit site that travellers can be ordered to immediately move to when they set up camp on public land.
“I’d like to thank the council staff who spent time over the weekend setting up the eviction and starting early today to secure the car park and guide people to park elsewhere.
Also thanks to Sainsbury’s who agreed to allow staff to park there today.”