“Something has to be done” over ongoing traveller issues

CONCERNS have been expressed over ongoing traveller issues on Silver Lane at Risley, one of four recent issues in the Warrington area.

Members of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council, Croft Parish Council and Birchwood Town Council have all expressed concern at continuing problems on Silver Lane, Risley, by groups of travellers.

The latest group involving five caravans, arrived on-site at the end of May and are still on-site, due to ongoing health issues.
Cllr Keith Bland, chairman of Croft Parish Council and a member of Culcheth and Glazebury, said: “Something has got to be done. It really has got to stop.
“No sooner has one group of travellers moved on than another arrives. And what is particularly annoying is that after each group moves on, the borough is left with a bill of around £1,000 to clean up the site.
“We were surprised to hear that one group of travellers was given temporary position by the borough to stay on the site because of non-Covid health issues
“This is an issue that has been dragging on for years and it isn’t going to be solved until the borough council finds an official site where travellers can stay.
“We realise it is a difficult problem to solve, but the borough council says it needs more time to solve it. How much time do they need? It has been dragging on for 15 years and we are still nowhere near solving the problem.”
The Silver Lane site has been protected by a barrier to keep travellers out for some years. But it is repeatedly broken – and borough chiefs say they can do nothing about it until someone is actually caught in the act of breaking it.

Cllr Bland retorted: “It baffles me – the barrier is broken and there is a group of people on the site. It is pretty obvious who has caused the damage – yet nothing is done.”
One possibility being considered by the parishes is a more secure barrier to prevent unauthorised entrance to Silver Lane.
As well as Silver lane other recent travellers issues have been reported at:
Centre Park, Warrington, where four caravans arrived on privately owned land on June 24.
Mandarin Court, Warrington, where three caravans arrived on private land on June 23.
Olympic Way, Poulton North, where five caravans arrived on private land on June 23.
The Mandarin Court encampment left on June 24.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Centre Park, Mandarin Court and Olympic Way encampments are on private land. Therefore, the Cheshire and Warrington Traveller team has offered help and advice.
“The encampment on Silver Lane, Risley has been permitted to stay temporarily due to health issues.”