AN illegal travellers encampment has set up on the former DW Leisure car park in Warrington town centre.
The encampment of caravans and associated vehicles moved onto the council-owned site earlier today (Bank Holiday Monday).
It follows on from a number of recent issues involving the travelling community on land at Poole Park, Orford and on private land off Lumb Brook Road, Appleton.
Both encampments moved on after a week of ignoring eviction notices.
Warrington Borough Council is aware of the encampment.
A spokesperson said: “The site will receive a visit from the welfare officers and then the necessary paperwork will be carried out to secure a Section 77 notice requiring them to vacate the site.”
The ongoing issues saw Warrington South MP Andy Carter calling in the council to move forward with plans for a traveller transit site in the town.
Mr Carter said at the time: “Warrington Council have still not finalised a Transit Site despite allocating £2m in their budget. With a site in place occupations of more than two caravans would be directed to the site or else be required to leave the area.”
The DW leisure site has never re-opened since the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, with the company going into administration at the beginning of August.
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