A councillor has called for an update on the latest situation regarding a transit site for travellers in Warrington following the latest illegal encampment on Silver Lane at Risley.
Cllr Wendy Maisey has written to council leader Cllr. Russ Bowden, requesting an urgent update on the progress of a transit site in the town.
Cllr Maisey said: “I received a call from Parish Cllr Sue Bland advising that an illegal encampment of caravans has again sprung up on Silver Lane and reported this immediately to the Police and Warrington Borough Council.
“This is the third encampment in Warrington since the New year. Silver Lane is a hot spot for this activity and a decision is needed by Warrington Borough Council as to the location of the permanent traveller transit site. I feel that progress is not being made quickly enough, there is no meeting set this year for the committee to reconvene and Councillors are not being updated on the status of the transition site.
“I’ve written to the Council Leader requesting an urgent update. It’s false economy to keep kicking this issue into the long grass. The cost of clearing up and other damage far outweigh the cost of the transit site, the funds for the site have been ring-fenced for many years.
“I’ve repeatedly asked Warrington Borough Council for the cost of clear up at Silver Lane since 2021 but have never received this information. We need to all work together to resolve this matter once and for all for the residents of Warrington”.
The council has ring-fenced money to set up a permanent travellers site in the town but has been unable to find a suitable site, despite extensive searches.
A Warrington Borough Council spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to the delivery of a suitable transit site within the town and recognise the benefits for both the travelling community and our residents.
“We are continuing to work with our partners to identify a suitable traveller transit site in the borough. The need for this is fully established in the submitted proposed local plan that was subject to examination in public in September.”
