Travellers

[JPitcock]

Travellers have this afternoon moved onto the old Meritor site off Fordhouse Lane (by driving through the gates to the Social Services Office's car park that are locked at night).

[Dave]

http://b31.org.uk/2017/03/travellers-set-up-next-to-council-offices/

A group of travellers is setting up on vacant land in Stirchley – behind a Birmingham City Council office building.

Travellers have gained access to land awaiting development which sits b hind Liffird House.

The travellers entered via the car park got Lifford House, which is home to Chikdren’s and Adults Social Services in South Birmingham.

The land they are setting up on was to be hind to a Tesco superstore, before the company withdrew their plans last month.

It is believed the group have moved onto the land, after being evicted from land awaiting development in the Green Lane area of Kings Norton earlier today.

[villan]

Thought the council and PCC we're having a meeting to sort this out once and for all 

[Kwacky]

Let's hope this gives the Council a kick up the backside which seems needed to sort this long ongoing issue out

[atomicjam]

There was a multi agency meeting, here it is:-

http://westmidspcc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/267027

If you do not want to sit through all of that, then you can find an overview here:-

http://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/news/news-2017/action-plan-revealed-following-pcc-summit-on-unauthorised-traveller-camps/

[villan]

Thanks, thought heard about it. Seems it just needs putting into practice now.

[atomicjam]

Thanks, thought heard about it. Seems it just needs putting into practice now.

Indeed. It would be nice to know if the new sites for travellers are being developed yet and if any 'at risk' sites are actually going to get physical protection.

The five point plan is:-

One set of protocols for the police and West Midlands councils
Clear, concise, real-time information that is easily shared.
Joined-up approach to identify and secure at-risk sites.
Explore the option of 'negotiated stopping'
Use of transit sites
Ensure local councils provide adequate transit sites, which are designated temporary spaces with electricity and bathrooms.
Explore the option of 'emergency stopping places'.
The Land Commission should consider provision for the travelling community in its spatial strategy deliberations.
Better protection for private businesses
Stronger police powers for private businesses that currently incur all costs if an unauthorised encampment sets up on its land.
Campaign to make it a criminal offence to occupy business premises
Share staff
Share staff across councils to be more efficient and effective, especially out of hours.
Have single points of contact to make it easy for partners and to build up relations in travelling communities.
Better cross-border work in the wider West Midlands
Improve the way information is shared across West Midlands borders.
Look at how the WMCA could improve this via its non-constituent members.

[breakaleg]

The Police are aware and taking appropriate action.
Task is made more difficult as they are on private land.
Pete

[Shel]

Looks like travellers have broken into the old Kwiksave site on the Stirchley high street owned by Tesco.

[JPitcock]

Yesterday evening they moved off the Meritor site onto the Social Services Office's car park.

[Mick Jones]

They are also on kwick save,

[Mick Jones]

The travelers were being moved on from the Kwik Save site this morning they have moved up and joined the others on Fordhouse Lane.
       

[Dave]

Thanx for the pics, Mick.

Looks like they have nice cars and vans.

A pity they were not impounded until the pay for the clean up that follows!

[David vs Goliath]

They've f**king retuned
Back onto hunts road
Don't the police have any powers

It's extremely frustrating that a police offer can issue a fine to a tax payer or points to a driver
But here they respond that they don't have any resources when I called to inform them

[Kwacky]

This is what gets me.  They're  fly tipping, trespassing and causing criminal damage, yet nothing is done.