Travellers bring their caravans back to family park for FIFTH time this year - after locals had to pick up rubbish following previous visit
Travellers have returned to a family park for the fifth time this year after locals were left to pick up rubbish from a previous visit.
Caravans and vehicles were again seen at Swanshurst Park in Billesley in Birmingham on Tuesday after travellers were seen setting up camp several times in May.
The group was seen returning to the park only 24 hours after locals were left to pick up the pieces from a previous group, which meant an event scheduled for the community had to be cancelled.
The Friends group posted on Facebook at the time: 'We are cancelling our balsam bashing session this Saturday as the Travellers are very close to the area we would be working.
'We will re-arrange another date and post details as soon as it has been decided.'
The authorities have been notified after this latest development.
Birmingham City Council said it is 'committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it'.
The authority added: 'The council has usable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community - which is in line with Government policy - and details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website.'
As reported earlier this year a group of travellers set up camp at the popular family park for the third time in just a few weeks, forcing planned community events to be cancelled.
A convoy of caravans and other vehicles arrived at the park on the outskirts of Moseley and Billesley on Wednesday May 21 settling on the field near the play park.
It is the third time since the beginning of April that travellers have parked up on park
A local community organisation said members had notified the council with a view to initiating eviction proceedings.
A 'Balsam bashing' event scheduled by the group for tomorrow has also been cancelled. Balsam bashing refers to the removal of the plant Himalyan Balsam by hand to protect native species.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said previously: 'Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it.
'The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community - which is in line with Government policy - and details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website.'
Video footage shared online showed the first caravans and cars arriving onto the park, filmed from the nearby children's playground.
A man who saw the group arriving, Stu Johnson, said: 'I saw them arriving while I was on the bus earlier - going onto the pavement by the entrance to the car park, driving along the pavement then onto the grass once they've passed the trees.
'Needs to be more logs or railings I'm afraid.'
Mary Hart added: 'There have been three lots of travellers this year on Swanshurst.
'Each time a different group. Last time there were two groups at the same time. The clean-up is mostly done by volunteers with help from the council.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
19 minutes ago
- The Independent
Glasgow given go-ahead to introduce a tourist tax
Tourists in Glasgow will start paying extra for their accommodation after the city gave the green light to introduce a tourist tax by 2027. In a bid to generate £16m a year for the Scottish city, visitors heading to Glasgow will be charged five per cent of their accommodation bill extra, which will work out to £4.83 per night on average. Under national legislation, the council has to undergo an 18-month implementation phase, so the levy will not be rolled out until January 2027 at the earliest. The decision was made in a city administration committee on Thursday, with 1.5 per cent of each levy being retained by accommodation providers, while the rest will be invested in Glasgow's infrastructure projects and events. The funding will also be used for public services, such as street sweeping, maintenance of city landmarks and improvements to parks, which will benefit both residents and visitors. A council spokesperson said there was support from all parties on the committee, including the SNP, Labour, Greens and Conservatives. The move to introduce the levy came following a public consultation that started in January between local trade bodies and accommodation businesses. Deputy Council Leader Richard Bell told The Independent: 'Many Glaswegians will be familiar with visitor levies, which are relatively common abroad. 'The levy means that some of the people who enjoy what Glasgow has to offer, but do not pay local taxes, will be asked to make a small contribution to the city. 'In turn, that money will be invested in making Glasgow a better place for citizens and visitors alike – which will benefit our tourist trade.' Green Cllr Blair Anderson, whose motion started the process, said: 'The tourist tax is going to be a game-changer for Glasgow, delivering more money to tidy up our city and make it even more attractive for visitors and residents alike. 'A small contribution from tourists will mean we can invest millions more in street sweeping, bin collections, and getting Glasgow looking good again. 'I'm glad that Greens in Holyrood got this law passed, and I'm grateful to all councillors who have worked with me over recent months to get this tax in place as soon as possible.' The levy will apply to all hotels, hostels, guest houses, bed & breakfasts and self-catering accommodation. Glasgow currently averages around 2.9 million overnight stays each year, which generates an expenditure of £250m. The Visitor Levy Act became law in September 2024. This allows councils in Scotland to tax overnight accommodation if they wish to do so. This devolved power has been met with mixed responses, with Edinburgh becoming the first to vote in January to add a five per cent surcharge on visitors' overnight stays by 2026. Meanwhile, South Ayrshire council is set to abandon its plans for a visitor levy in light of residents' and businesses' concerns that the area does not warrant one for the number of visitors it receives.
BBC News
44 minutes ago
- BBC News
Revamped Kirkstone Pass Inn will 'not be aimed' at hens and stags
The newest owners of a historical pub have dismissed rumours its rooms may be marketed at stag and hen highest pub, the Kirkstone Pass Inn, had provided respite for travellers for centuries and was bought by Supreme Escapes in firm is renovating the already existing rooms and turning the old keeper's house into holiday accommodation, but said the bar area would not change and operate for the public, whether there was a booking or Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said it recognised concerns about "potential loss of historic character" and had opened an investigation to monitor the use of the building. The centuries-old former pub stands at 1,481ft (451m) above sea level, on an exposed hillside above was frequented by visitors who made it up the Kirkstone Pass - known locally as "the struggle" - before it was put on the market in 2021, sitting empty for works sparked concerns online about the future use of the site and whether the changes were kept within the building's character and location. 'Almost derelict' Jerry Huppert, a partner in Supreme Escapes, told BBC Radio Cumbria the building was being renovated sympathetically and they had already spend about £3m on the building."The pub was very, very tired - almost derelict beyond repair," he added while located four miles (6.4km) away from the nearest neighbours, the accommodation was not being marketed to hen and stag parties - as had been speculated added: "Although our company generally specialises in holiday lets, we have recently moved into a new business model of boutique hotels and this is our first one."The building would also continue to operate as a pub, Mr Huppert said, and he was hoping it would reopen in the summer. Car park plans Planning manager for LDNPA Julie Birkett said the building was not listed and therefore internal works did not require planning permission, "regardless of their impact on internal historic features or character".She added a previous investigation concluded the building's new and renewed roughcast render was not an act of development as defined by law, and therefore did not need planning had also been raised online about preserving public access to the pub's car park, which is used by Huppert said there was a long lease on the carpark to the LDNPA."We have approached [the LDNPA] to see what their plan is at the end of the lease and they said they will touch base to us about a year or two before the end of the lease," he LDNPA confirmed the lease was due to expire in 2029 and renewal options would be considered closer to that date. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Parents race to Home Bargains for travel set that contains a cabin bag, rucksack, pillow and MORE for less than £20
PARENTS are racing to get to their nearest Home Bargains store, eager to nab a travel set that kids will love. Not only does it contain a cabin bag, a rucksack, a travel pillow and more, but it's super affordable too. 3 3 3 So if you're lucky enough to be jetting abroad any time soon, then you've come to the right place and will need to check this out. Particularly with the costs of holidays rising, if you're desperate to find a luggage solution that won't break the bank, this is just the thing. It comes after one savvy shopper was left beaming after browsing the aisles in her local Home Bargains, when she spotted the brand new 5-Piece Kids' Travel Set on shelves. Thrilled with her affordable find, Catherine Jacinto Dela Cruz took to social media to alert others to the purse-friendly set, leaving many totally stunned. Posting on BARGAIN LOVERS Poundland, Home Bargains, B&M, Primark, The Range & More, a public Facebook group with 852,000 members, Catherine uploaded a snap of her find and beamed: ' Kids ' travel set spotted at Home Bargains.' Thanks to this epic five-piece set, you'll get a carry-on bag, a backpack and a lunch bag. But that's not all, as it's also complete with a travel pillow and a zip pouch. The carry-on bag and backpacks are perfect for packing your little one's clothes and holiday essentials. Meanwhile, the lunch bag will ensure their snacks don't get squished, while the travel pillow is great for getting some rest on long flights. And if you're worried they'll lose their valuables, the zip pouch is perfect for keeping items safe and secure. Parents are racing to B&M desperate to nab 'the cutest' kids' cabin cases - they're ideal for EasyJet & Jet2 passengers The Home Bargains set is available in three styles - so if your little one can't get enough of sharks, rainbows or camo print, you're sure to find something that's just right for them. It won't burn a hole in your wallet either, as it's priced at just £19.99, which we think is a real steal. Holiday packing tips Jemma Solomon, aka The Label Lady has got 5 packing tips to help you get organised for your next holiday. 1. Write a list Think about all the essentials you need to take with you; suncream, medicine, a few games for the kids, beach towels, and write everything in one list, which you can tick off as you add it to your suitcase. Or for complete ease, try Google's AI app - Gemini - which will create a list for you and help you not over pack. 2. Involve your kids Jemma said: 'My girls are getting older, they're 11 and nine, and they enjoy helping to pack. So I send them a list, and say 'this is what you need' and they follow the list. 'And then I give them a rucksack each - and say to them 'you can have whatever you want in there as long as it's not liquid', and they can take that on the plane. And that's their 'home away from home' items.' 3. Try a hack or two She said: "I think they all work, but for different reasons - and you've just got to pick the right one for your trip. "Rolling your clothes is really good to stop your clothes from getting creases. And if you're trying to get a lot of items into your case, it's a space saver. 'Packing cubes are great - for example, I'm going on holiday with my three kids and we're all using the same suitcase for our clothes. "These handy compartments let you separate your clothes, toiletries and tech into designated cubes, maximising luggage space by keeping your items compressed and neatly stacked. "I love taking them abroad with the family and it means my kids can easily take charge of their own items once we've arrived." 4. Decant beauty products Do you really need to take full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner with you? The beauty industry has evolved so much, you can now buy shampoo bars or sheets - which are much lighter and smaller. Or, if you'll be popping to the shops when you're abroad, consider buying some items when you arrive. 5. Get organised before you come home Jemma said: 'When you repack on holiday [before coming home], the trick is to separate clean from dirty clothes. 'Also pack it in some form of order - so lights, darks, colours for items that need washing, or if you wash your clothes by person in the household, piles for each person. "Then you can put it straight into the washing machine. Do it straight away, don't leave it." And it's clear that Facebook users were left beaming with the high-street find, as Catherine's post has quickly racked up 121 likes and 72 comments. One person said: 'I got one of them for my son and he loved it.' Another added: 'That looks good.' Meanwhile, a third tagged a friend and commented: 'If you see this, let me know.' Not only this, but one parent mentioned a loved one and beamed: 'I want these for the kids!' The Sun Travel team's holiday essentials WITH decades of experience and hundreds of countries under their belt, the Sun Travel team have shared some of the essential items they always pack on a trip. Here are some of the game-changing items we always pack - and some will barely cost you a thing. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel - Global travel plug with USB (£64) Caroline McGuire, Travel Editor - Hotel Slippers Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor - Pack of 40 earplugs (£40) Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor - 1 litre water bottle (£8.99) Ryan Gray, Travel Reporter - Bluetooth eye mask (£16.50) Giuli Graziano, Travel Writer - AirTag luggage location tracker (£29.99).
