MP's anger over traveller loopholes

WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat has spoken out in the House of Commons over “legal loopholes” which allow travellers to move illegal sites a few yards down the road.
He told ministers: “A recent case in Warrington has involved a group of travellers being repeatedly moved on peacefully using section 77 directions to leave orders.
“But they move only a few hundred metres and the whole process starts again, costing time and money.”
Mr Mowat (pictured) urged Communities Secretary Eric Pickles to consider amending the order so that people will be required to leave the local authority area and not just the site.
He demanded a wide-reaching assessment of the effectiveness of the powers of local authorities to deal with illegal traveller sites.
Mr Pickles replied: “We have renewed councils’ powers to deal with illegal and unauthorised encampments.
“On 28 August, we sent new guidance to council leaders on how to best use these existing powers. We will also consult on giving councils greater freedom to stop unauthorised development related to caravans.”
Mr Pickles insisted that the number of caravans on unauthorised sites has gone down. In 2007, it was 21 per cent and now it is 16 per cent.
He said existing powers allow local authorities and the police to take action if illegal campers return to a site within three months.
One group of travellers took up residence near Grappenhall Heys last month. After being directed to leave the site by Warrington Borough Council they moved to another site a few miles away in Stretton.
Each time they move the council must initiate a legal process to move them. which takes seven days to complete. This process must be repeated for each encampment.