Updated: Travellers pitch up in library car park

by Lisa Reeves

Monday 31^st August 2015

Mon 31^st Aug 2015

A group of travellers have set up an illegal encampment in the Cheshire East Council car park at the back of Wilmslow Library today (Monday 31st August).

Four mobile homes along with a number of cars arrived this afternoon.

Local councillor Rod Menlove said "This is a regrettable repeat of another Bank Holiday so the arrival of yet another group of travellers on an illegal encampment.

"We owe thanks to a local resident for the information and to a fellow councillor who has already contacted the CEC traveller liaison officer. Undoubtedly, tomorrow he will start the eviction process."

Updated 12.56 Tuesday 1st September.

Councillor Rod Menlove said "CEC has requested a hearing date to secure a court order. There is a backlog due to the Bank Holiday but they will try to slot us in, hopefully this week. Once it is secured, the court order will be issued to remove the group on the same day."

Tags:: Travellers

Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Andy Morley

Monday 31^st August 2015 at 9:26 pm

If my car was parked illegally, i am sure it would be towed away in no time. So why do the authorities allow these travellers to get away with it? Yet again CEC showing their true colours

Dave Cash

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 1:26 am

Andy, I don't think you can be towed for illegal parking in a car park.
A few PCNs for parking without displaying ticket, parking beyond the bay markings, littering in a public place etc may send a message.
Pity there is no positive press spin for CEC like 'Romany's caravan returns'.

DELETED ACCOUNT

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 8:40 am

I dont want the "Traveller Liaison Officer" contacted - I want the police contacted and them moved on.

Jon Williams

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 9:49 am

More the need for a legal encampment then Rob !

Mark Goldsmith

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 10:04 am

@Dave Cash Yes, you can still be towed away, but only if it is on council or government land.

It is only private car parks that can't clamp or tow you and instead issue Parking Charge Notices (PCN's). The council issue Parking Fines that are legally enforceable and can tow away too.

Nick Jones

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 4:22 pm

Don't kid yourself that a legal encampment would work.. look at Middlewich and surrounding area....... Is it discrimination to treat law abiding citizens more punitively than those who choose to break the law ?..... Direct them to the council offices car park at Sandbach.....

Mark Goldsmith

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 4:25 pm

@Jon Williams

Plenty of local caravan pitches here "www.ukcampsite.co.uk"

It's the paying for them that is the issue though. So, not sure how a legal traveller camp will over come this. Not unless its a legal and free traveller camp.

But then we would all like to live rent and tax free too, but who pays for it all?

PS - who is Rob?

Nick Jones

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 4:40 pm

Thanks mark , I thought it was a slang term to encourage wrong doing......

Chris Jones

Tuesday 1^st September 2015 at 9:36 pm

Perhaps Rod Menlove could update us on the running total of cost to the tax payer, this like all years isn't the first time.
Court costs
Liason officer
Clean up
Policing (tongue in cheek that one, far to busy 100 strong protecting our borders)

Manuel Golding

Wednesday 2^nd September 2015 at 2:50 pm

If these "parkers" haven't bought parking tickets or have overrun their paid for time, issue PCNs. If still parked after 4 hours, bring in the tow away trucks.
These will incur extra costs/charges, plus parking fees and fines; with properties embargoed until all fines and fees paid in full.
This is how I and other residents & visitors will be treated.
Why not in this instance?
What is fair for one group must be equally fair for others.
And, what about MY "human right" to be fairly treated?

Terry Roeves

Wednesday 2^nd September 2015 at 3:22 pm

CEC continue to fail us. Same old problem, same old solution. No reasons for this not to occur again. Consequences are worthless. Has CEC ever collected one penny in fines or towards the costs of the clean ups? No serious consequences IMO.
I expect that Cllr Menlove can tell us what they are and how much in fines have been collected.

Nick Jones

Thursday 3^rd September 2015 at 7:55 pm

Still there...... What a mess..... Does this mean no one else needs to pay when using the CEC car park until removed ?........ A true disgrace of officials concerned who once again remain anonymous..... once more......