Travellers Moved On

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 31st Jul 2006

Swift action from Burnage Lib Dem Councillors Iain Donaldson and Rod Isherwood meant that travellers who set up an illegal encampment on Cringle Fields recently moved on as soon as possible.

The two Councillors went to the Police Station on the Sunday morning after the travellers first arrived at the fields.They told the police how important it was that swift action was taken. This meant that first thing on Monday morning the Council officer responsible served notice on the travellers to quit. On Tuesday the case was ready to take to the magistrates in order to call in the bailiffs, but the travellers moved off of their own accord, without any trouble.

Cllr Donaldson said:

"This is the second time we have had to deal with this problem whilst I have been a Councillor for Burnage Ward, and we were determined that the travellers would be moved on as quickly as possible."

"The fields are there to be used as a sports and recreation facility for local people - not as a caravan park."

John Leech MP kept in contact with the Council officers responsible until the caravans were moved. John said:

"We have urged the Council to improve the fencing and barriers around the fields to try and stop this happening again."

End