Travellers Return to Park, Councillor Issues Warning
A local councillor in Birmingham has urged residents not to offer work to a group of travellers who have set up an illegal camp at Shard End Country Park. This follows reports that the group arrived at the park just weeks after being ordered to leave.
The area saw a significant presence of caravans and vehicles marked with business logos entering the park before last weekend. Councillor Alan Feeney visited the site and found the park’s gates open. He suspects that the gates may have been cut open, and he has already reached out to West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council regarding the situation.
Feeney expressed his concerns, stating:
“I’m aware that the travellers are back on Shard End Park. I have been out, taken a look and have found the metal gates are all open. Whether the padlocks have been cut, or the gates were open anyway, I don’t know. I will be in touch with the council and police in any case. In the meantime, do not give them any work. I have already seen various business vans coming and going.”
He also warned that the group could leave behind a mess, adding that he plans to discuss stronger measures with the council to prevent future incursions. Feeney emphasized that addressing the issue now would be more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a cleanup operation.
History of Illegal Encampments
This is not the first time that the park has faced such issues. The encampment comes just months after another group of travellers set up a camp when they were denied access to Sheldon Country Park. Over the years, the green space has experienced multiple unauthorized entries.
Councillor Colin Green highlighted that efforts to improve security at nearby locations, such as Gilberstone Park, have not stopped the problem but instead shifted it elsewhere. He explained:
“Residents of Sheldon reported to us on Saturday that travellers had set up a camp on Sheldon Country Park. They gained entrance to the park at the Horseshoes Lane entrance. There have been several camps on Gilbertstone Recreation Area recently, and the parks managers have beefed up security to keep vehicles out. Improving security at one site just displaces activity elsewhere.”
Council Response and Available Resources
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council stated that the council is committed to protecting its land and will take action to reclaim areas affected by unauthorized encampments. They also mentioned that there are designated transit sites and plots available for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller community, in line with government policy.
Details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment, which was updated in 2019, are available on the council’s website.
Ongoing Concerns and Calls for Action
The repeated incidents have raised concerns among local officials and residents. With the latest encampment, there is a growing call for more effective measures to prevent unauthorized access to public spaces.
Councillor Feeney has emphasized the need for vigilance and cooperation from the community. He encourages locals to avoid providing any support to the group, while also pushing for stronger defenses to protect public land.
As the situation continues to unfold, the focus remains on finding long-term solutions to prevent further disruptions and ensure the safety and integrity of local parks.
