Travellers voluntarily vacate Silver Lane

TRAVELLERS have voluntarily left Silver Lane at Risley, prompting calls for action to prevent the ongoing issue from re-occurring.

An illegal encampment of five caravans and associated vehicles arrived at the Silver Lane site on Friday evening and vacated overnight before any legal action was taken.

Culcheth & Glazebury Parish Cllr Sue Bland said: “This has happened time and time again, they keep breaking the lock on the gate and getting away with it. They know just what they are doing these travellers.
“This has been going on for years now, how long does it take to find a site?? Numerous sites have been looked at by both the borough and outside bodies, but when it comes to making decisions zero!
“Once a site is in place..the travellers have to stay on the site, if not then they can be moved on as they arrive.
“No court action/fees, no social services involvement, no supplying of bins etc.
“I could go on, but there’s not much point…
“Let’s hope our new borough councillors take up the challenge and carry on the challenge…
“This doesn’t just affect Culcheth, but other parts of Warrington as well.”
Silver Lane has been blighted by illegal traveller encampments for many years, prompting the council to erect a barrier, which has been breached numerous times.
Warrington Borough 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.