Burnley MP hits out at massive clean-up bill as travellers set up illegal camp

11:30am Monday 24th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Chris Adams

NEW LOCATION Caravans near Tay Street in Burnley. Right, Gordon Birtwistle MP NEW LOCATION Caravans near Tay Street in Burnley. Right, Gordon Birtwistle MP

TRAVELLERS who refuse to leave Burnley are costing taxpayers ‘tens of thousands of pounds’ according to the town’s MP.

Gordon Birtwistle said the escalating legal and clean-up bills for moving the groups along were extremely worrying.

One group of around 30 vehicles has just moved to a patch of grass near Tay Street - their third different location in three weeks.

And in recent months at least three other large encampments have been set up around the town.

The latest group arrived two weeks ago in Cog Lane, before being moved on after the council gained a court order.

The group then took over a piece of land next to a children’s play park between Tabor Street and Ighten Road.

Councillor Charlie Briggs said to gain access the travellers must have moved boulders put in place to stop trespassers.

On Wednesday they again moved on to their present location after being served with a possession order.

It is understood that the group has family in the area which is why they have refused to move to another town.

The land they are now on is a cleared area which has been set aside for housing development.

Mr Birtwistle, the borough’s former council leader, said public opinion was against the travellers because of the problems they caused for residents.

He said: “They know what they are doing. They don’t care about the mess they leave behind and they are not good neighbours.

“They are causing hassle and the taxpayers are paying for it.

“Between the legal costs of getting a court order to move them along and the costs of cleaning up after them every time, the council are spending tens of thousands of pounds that could be spent on worthwhile causes.

“It’s not a pleasant job clearing up after them.

“At the minute there doesn’t seem to be a solution other than securing all the sites, which clearly won’t benefit people who actually want to use them.”

In April this year, a large group of travellers was believed to have cut the locks off gates at Hargher Clough Rec in Harold Avenue in order to park their vehicles on a council play area.

That case prompted council chiefs to take the unprecedented step of closing two public car parks in Towneley Park for a weekend to keep them out.

There have also been camps on the council-owned Prairie Playing Fields, on the corner of Windermere Avenue and Colne Road in Reedley.

A spokesman for Burnley Council said: “The council is aware of the group at Pollard Street and action to remove them has commenced.”

Councillor Howard Baker, who represents the Trinity ward where the travellers are currently staying, said the situation was ‘a difficult one’.

He said: “There is no quick answer to this. They have a right to travel but it is frustrating.”

Residents near the latest site had mixed feelings about the latest deluge of caravans nearby.

One man from Howard Street, who asked not to be named, said: “Most people around here are annoyed about it. It looks awful and they do nothing for the area.

“They are occupying car parks and fields that should be used by the local community. No-one else would get away with moving boulders to get on to a play park so why do they?”

But a neighbour on the same street said: “They haven’t really done any harm so far. Maybe if there was more affordable social housing they wouldn’t have to travel.”

The government’s North West of England Plan has made calls for an extra 10 permanent pitches for travellers and five transit pitches in addition to the 15 currently available. The closest one to Burnley is Whinney Hill in neighbouring Hyndburn.

Comments (18)

12:12pm Mon 24 Sep 12

useyourhead says...

They can't live amongst us - take that however you like.
-
The councils are now reaping the rewards of a namby pamby overly p.c bunch of half-wits that have been bleating on about rights, surely the cannot extend those RIGHTS to those who deliberately only ever intend to do WRONG?
They can't live amongst us - take that however you like. - The councils are now reaping the rewards of a namby pamby overly p.c bunch of half-wits that have been bleating on about rights, surely the cannot extend those RIGHTS to those who deliberately only ever intend to do WRONG? useyourhead

12:20pm Mon 24 Sep 12

district01 says...

Why do we pay council tax when others don't?
Why do we pay council tax when others don't? district01

1:03pm Mon 24 Sep 12

mavrick says...

I am afraid these people have no intention of integrating with normal people. The travelling life is over in this day and age. We should supply proper camps sites so they can settle and try to be normal, I think it will take a generation and a lot of education. In the meantime we have to put up with this nonsense. What chance is there of them getting a job? They respond to the environment they are forced into.
I am afraid these people have no intention of integrating with normal people. The travelling life is over in this day and age. We should supply proper camps sites so they can settle and try to be normal, I think it will take a generation and a lot of education. In the meantime we have to put up with this nonsense. What chance is there of them getting a job? They respond to the environment they are forced into. mavrick

1:30pm Mon 24 Sep 12

notchuffed says...

mavrick wrote:
I am afraid these people have no intention of integrating with normal people. The travelling life is over in this day and age. We should supply proper camps sites so they can settle and try to be normal, I think it will take a generation and a lot of education. In the meantime we have to put up with this nonsense. What chance is there of them getting a job? They respond to the environment they are forced into.
Theyare not forced into anything, it is a life they choose which is not to pay Council tax, Taxes, NHS Contributions etc. all that normal law-abiding citizens are expected to do.

They CHOOSE to live the life they lead so they can "stay under the radar". Ask yourself a) why is it that whenever a team/group of travellers arrive in a town/area the incidences of lead theft and other crimes increase. b) The number of leaflets offering gardening services, roof/property repairs and others increase c) Ask yourself why on these leaflets do they only ever give a mobile number with no address. After you have asked yourself these three questions then ask again "Are they forced into this life". For some reason the romantic name of "Travellers" has been attached to them when in fact they are nothing but a band of marauders taking whatever they can, whenever they can and usually at the expense of Joe Public. It is about time Joe Public was protected by the people whose wages they pay; I do not necessarily mean Police but the so called "Protectors of the Public" i.e. MPs, Councillors, Judges and Law Makers. Enough of this namby pamby ingratiating behaviour by these hand wringing sops
[quote][p][bold]mavrick[/bold] wrote: I am afraid these people have no intention of integrating with normal people. The travelling life is over in this day and age. We should supply proper camps sites so they can settle and try to be normal, I think it will take a generation and a lot of education. In the meantime we have to put up with this nonsense. What chance is there of them getting a job? They respond to the environment they are forced into.[/p][/quote]Theyare not forced into anything, it is a life they choose which is not to pay Council tax, Taxes, NHS Contributions etc. all that normal law-abiding citizens are expected to do. They CHOOSE to live the life they lead so they can "stay under the radar". Ask yourself a) why is it that whenever a team/group of travellers arrive in a town/area the incidences of lead theft and other crimes increase. b) The number of leaflets offering gardening services, roof/property repairs and others increase c) Ask yourself why on these leaflets do they only ever give a mobile number with no address. After you have asked yourself these three questions then ask again "Are they forced into this life". For some reason the romantic name of "Travellers" has been attached to them when in fact they are nothing but a band of marauders taking whatever they can, whenever they can and usually at the expense of Joe Public. It is about time Joe Public was protected by the people whose wages they pay; I do not necessarily mean Police but the so called "Protectors of the Public" i.e. MPs, Councillors, Judges and Law Makers. Enough of this namby pamby ingratiating behaviour by these hand wringing sops notchuffed

2:21pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Nottokeenonthesmellofvaseline says...

Absolute scum of the earth. Take, take,take and give nothing back. They should have their caravans confiscated off them to pay the legal costs they run up for the local government.
Absolute scum of the earth. Take, take,take and give nothing back. They should have their caravans confiscated off them to pay the legal costs they run up for the local government. Nottokeenonthesmellofvaseline

2:43pm Mon 24 Sep 12

vanmanstan says...

y dont the council provide a site then?
y dont the council provide a site then? vanmanstan

3:11pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Izanears says...

May be clamping their vehicles would be a good idea.
May be clamping their vehicles would be a good idea. Izanears

3:14pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Jack Herer says...

vanmanstan wrote:
y dont the council provide a site then?
Where though and who pays for it? And what's more why should the council have to "provide" them a site?

Why don't these travellers just go back to Ireland? They are completely unwelcome here. Everyone is sick of them.

They literally add nothing positive to society. It's take take take and no give.

And these "travellers" wonder why everyone hates them.
[quote][p][bold]vanmanstan[/bold] wrote: y dont the council provide a site then?[/p][/quote]Where though and who pays for it? And what's more why should the council have to "provide" them a site? Why don't these travellers just go back to Ireland? They are completely unwelcome here. Everyone is sick of them. They literally add nothing positive to society. It's take take take and no give. And these "travellers" wonder why everyone hates them. Jack Herer

4:44pm Mon 24 Sep 12

DaveBurnley says...

Some councils do provide proper sites, but most of these so called travellers don't bother with them because they cost money. It's easier just to keep moving, ruining the places they visit.
Some councils do provide proper sites, but most of these so called travellers don't bother with them because they cost money. It's easier just to keep moving, ruining the places they visit. DaveBurnley

5:31pm Mon 24 Sep 12

2 for 5p says...

What exactly is tens of thousand of pounds? ?
Tosh you in burnley must be paying your refuse collecters a lot of money if there overtime payments for a lorry and team come to tens of thousands of pounds , what are you paying them £700 a hour :-) .

Sounds like there's a bit of discrimination in this one sided reporting.
What exactly is tens of thousand of pounds? ? Tosh you in burnley must be paying your refuse collecters a lot of money if there overtime payments for a lorry and team come to tens of thousands of pounds , what are you paying them £700 a hour :-) . Sounds like there's a bit of discrimination in this one sided reporting. 2 for 5p

6:06pm Mon 24 Sep 12

useyourhead says...

2 for 5p wrote:
What exactly is tens of thousand of pounds? ?
Tosh you in burnley must be paying your refuse collecters a lot of money if there overtime payments for a lorry and team come to tens of thousands of pounds , what are you paying them £700 a hour :-) .

Sounds like there's a bit of discrimination in this one sided reporting.
you forget the sanitation, cleaning up human faeces isn't cheap, the re-securing etc and multiply that by the multiple sites contaminated by these dirty sods i should say tens of thousands isn't beyond belief..
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: What exactly is tens of thousand of pounds? ? Tosh you in burnley must be paying your refuse collecters a lot of money if there overtime payments for a lorry and team come to tens of thousands of pounds , what are you paying them £700 a hour :-) . Sounds like there's a bit of discrimination in this one sided reporting.[/p][/quote]you forget the sanitation, cleaning up human faeces isn't cheap, the re-securing etc and multiply that by the multiple sites contaminated by these dirty sods i should say tens of thousands isn't beyond belief.. useyourhead

6:20pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Nottokeenonthesmellofvaseline says...

What about paying for the damage they cause when the try breaking into businesses? It's not discrimination it's the truth.
What about paying for the damage they cause when the try breaking into businesses? It's not discrimination it's the truth. Nottokeenonthesmellofvaseline

6:31pm Mon 24 Sep 12

doctor1970 says...

Scrap the council tax it's a waste of money.
Scrap the council tax it's a waste of money. doctor1970

6:55pm Mon 24 Sep 12

useyourhead says...

doctor1970 wrote:
Scrap the council tax it's a waste of money.
Don't mention scrap, we will be overun ;)
[quote][p][bold]doctor1970[/bold] wrote: Scrap the council tax it's a waste of money.[/p][/quote]Don't mention scrap, we will be overun ;) useyourhead

11:56am Tue 25 Sep 12

commonsenseplease says...

I don't see what they are supposed to do...
This country makes sure all over cultures whether they originate from this country or not are accommodated and are given the right to live how their particular culture always has.
All legal travellers sites are full to bursting with waiting lists. Councils won't provide sites for them but provide houses for say young girls who see having children as career and way of getting free money and a house.
When travellers buy land to try and turn into a permanent site 90% of planning applications put forward by travellers are refused so those not lucky enough to get onto permanent site either council or private owned are left to carry on living on the side of the road causing nuisance for the local residents.
Unless council or private sites are approved to accommodate them are made this problem and people complaining is never going to end.
Surley it makes sense to let them put their own money into building sites then people can't complain about them being where they shouldn't. The council will get their council tax and so on like they do with the few existing sites. The children can get education and the tax man can keep tabs on them.
I don't see what they are supposed to do... This country makes sure all over cultures whether they originate from this country or not are accommodated and are given the right to live how their particular culture always has. All legal travellers sites are full to bursting with waiting lists. Councils won't provide sites for them but provide houses for say young girls who see having children as career and way of getting free money and a house. When travellers buy land to try and turn into a permanent site 90% of planning applications put forward by travellers are refused so those not lucky enough to get onto permanent site either council or private owned are left to carry on living on the side of the road causing nuisance for the local residents. Unless council or private sites are approved to accommodate them are made this problem and people complaining is never going to end. Surley it makes sense to let them put their own money into building sites then people can't complain about them being where they shouldn't. The council will get their council tax and so on like they do with the few existing sites. The children can get education and the tax man can keep tabs on them. commonsenseplease

4:26pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Rob Roy says...

The government gives them rights just as it does with the riff raff of Europe. Birtwistle is a member of the government so what is he complaining about?
The government gives them rights just as it does with the riff raff of Europe. Birtwistle is a member of the government so what is he complaining about? Rob Roy

4:51pm Tue 25 Sep 12

2 for 5p says...

commonsenseplease wrote:
I don't see what they are supposed to do...
This country makes sure all over cultures whether they originate from this country or not are accommodated and are given the right to live how their particular culture always has.
All legal travellers sites are full to bursting with waiting lists. Councils won't provide sites for them but provide houses for say young girls who see having children as career and way of getting free money and a house.
When travellers buy land to try and turn into a permanent site 90% of planning applications put forward by travellers are refused so those not lucky enough to get onto permanent site either council or private owned are left to carry on living on the side of the road causing nuisance for the local residents.
Unless council or private sites are approved to accommodate them are made this problem and people complaining is never going to end.
Surley it makes sense to let them put their own money into building sites then people can't complain about them being where they shouldn't. The council will get their council tax and so on like they do with the few existing sites. The children can get education and the tax man can keep tabs on them.
At last a sensible post
you live up to your name
well done
[quote][p][bold]commonsenseplease[/bold] wrote: I don't see what they are supposed to do... This country makes sure all over cultures whether they originate from this country or not are accommodated and are given the right to live how their particular culture always has. All legal travellers sites are full to bursting with waiting lists. Councils won't provide sites for them but provide houses for say young girls who see having children as career and way of getting free money and a house. When travellers buy land to try and turn into a permanent site 90% of planning applications put forward by travellers are refused so those not lucky enough to get onto permanent site either council or private owned are left to carry on living on the side of the road causing nuisance for the local residents. Unless council or private sites are approved to accommodate them are made this problem and people complaining is never going to end. Surley it makes sense to let them put their own money into building sites then people can't complain about them being where they shouldn't. The council will get their council tax and so on like they do with the few existing sites. The children can get education and the tax man can keep tabs on them.[/p][/quote]At last a sensible post you live up to your name well done 2 for 5p

10:32pm Thu 27 Sep 12

ashleedrew111 says...

Im sorry but i live on the same street as where they were on ighten road and i take my dogs where they were parked and i went over and a few conversations with the travellers and they were very nice and said if they were too noisy or anything to let them know and they would sort it out! And in fact in fact i didnt hear a peep out of them!!! And when they were removed they didnt leave 1 bit of mess. They bagged all there rubbish up in bin bags!! If they arent being difficukt nieghbours THEN LEAVE THEM BE!!!!!!!
Im sorry but i live on the same street as where they were on ighten road and i take my dogs where they were parked and i went over and a few conversations with the travellers and they were very nice and said if they were too noisy or anything to let them know and they would sort it out! And in fact in fact i didnt hear a peep out of them!!! And when they were removed they didnt leave 1 bit of mess. They bagged all there rubbish up in bin bags!! If they arent being difficukt nieghbours THEN LEAVE THEM BE!!!!!!! ashleedrew111

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