TRAVELLERS have once again taken over a road on a Leamington industrial estate – much to the anger of businesses.
Up to 50 caravans and other vehicles have been parked up on cul-de-sac Spartan Close, off Tachbrook Park Drive, for over a week.
When The Observer went there we found the police in attendance and traveller vehicles parked on the road, pavements, and car parks.
One businessman, who understandably did not want to be named, said more needed to be done to prevent the travellers setting up camp in future.
“This is not the first time they have turned up here – but we’ve never seen so many.
“It’s an absolute nightmare. They are parked all over the place – many of them illegally. It is obviously off-putting for our customers.”
Another business has seen a dramatic fall off in customers since the travellers arrived on Monday March 7.
A spokesman told The Observer: “The customers who are making it to us are being intimidated and threatened.
“We’ve had kids coming in and nicking things, but police say they can’t do anything because they’re under ten. We did catch one on CCTV stealing who must have been 15, but even then the police said did we really want to bother prosecuting – knowing they just wouldn’t turn up at court.”
The travellers are also being blamed for ripping up bollards put in by one of the businesses to try and prevent them returning following a previous encampment.
Warwickshire Police told us they were aware of the situation.
A police spokeswoman said: “Responsibility for evicting trespassers lies with the owner of the land which in this case is Warwickshire County Council. Officers are working with the council and will continue to patrol the area.”
The county council was applying for an eviction notice as The Observer went to press yesterday (Wednesday) – with the hope of ordering them to leave by 8am today (Thursday).
A council spokesman said: “If they do not leave by then, bailiffs will be called in.”
