Wave of traveller camps in North Solihull

PITCHED UP: Caravans at Castle Bromwich during the recent Bank
Holiday weekend.

TRAVELLERS have set up camps at no less than four sites in North Solihull so far this month.
Today Solihull Council confirmed that an unauthorised camp at Heath Park, off Bluebell Drive, Chelmsley Wood, had now been moved on.
The local authority has promised a thorough clean-up of the site and a review of measures to prevent caravans accessing the land in future.
Efforts have also taken place to move an encampment off the land on the Bradford Road, opposite Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens. This work was done in conjunction with Castle Bromwich Parish Council.
However, issues remain at both Babbs Mill Park - the site of a number of previous incursions - and Windward Way, Smith's Wood.
In a statement today, Solihull Council said: "To support the evidence gathering it is very important that as many local residents as possible report any anti-social or criminal behaviour to the police by calling 101.
"This helps build a picture of the situation for the court to consider when a case is presented to them."
Last month, Solihull Council was updated on efforts to protect parkland from illegal camps, although it was acknowledged that it was impossible to prevent access altogether.