An unauthorised encampment of travellers descended on Duke Street Park as the gates were not locked

24th July - UPDATE:

The travellers have now left the site.

23rd July 20:00hrs - UPDATE:

We have been informed that the travellers are now leaving the site.

ORIGINAL:

An unauthorised encampment of travellers has moved into Duke Street Park in Formby yesterday, Friday 22nd July, they gained access via Phillips Lane entrance. The site, has been descended on by approximately ten travellers vans along with cars.

All the gates to the park have heavy duty locks that are very difficult to break. These were installed after the last encampment a few years ago. It seems one of these gates was not locked at the time these caravans came onto the park.

Sefton Council will start eviction proceedings immediately but will need to do a welfare visit as well. This is expected to happen on Monday but it might possibly be today.

Cllr Nina Killen said: “We are disappointed that caravans have been able to get onto Duke Street Park. I'll be pressing council colleagues to start eviction proceedings immediately. We have measures in place to stop encampments from occurring at Duke Street Park and I have asked council officers how these measures have been allowed to fail.”

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: "Sefton Council provide a permanent site for Gypsies and Travellers in Sefton. The site is located at Red Rose Park, Broad Lane, Formby L37 0AH."

"We do not provide a transit site for Gypsies and Travellers moving through the borough seeking a short stay. As a result this can lead to unauthorised encampments. We have an Unauthorised Encampment Policy to manage these encampments in a way that addresses both the support needs of the Gypsies and Travellers and the rights of the settled community."

In order to move the Travellers, the land owner, in this case, Sefton Council, is bound by a legal process. A Section 77 Notice will be served on the Travellers and if they do not move on, the land owner will have to obtain a signed summons from the court which will be served on the Travellers. This summons provides the Travellers notice of a court date, whereby, Sefton Council will seek a removal order. On possession of the removal order Sefton Council will then arrange for the Travellers to be removed, if they have not vacated prior to this themselves. This could take a week or more.

Residents have shown frustration over this issue and in particular their concerns regarding anti-social behaviour of the Travellers and any such incidents should continue to be reported to the police.

Notice for 11 to 16 year-olds…

There are some diversionary activities in the park this summer on Saturday nights, starting tonight, July 23, from 5-7pm for eight weeks. To take part you just turn up at Duke Street park, no need to book. It's for ages 11-16.

Despite the travellers on site, the sports activities are still scheduled to go ahead at 5-7pm, they'll just see how they get on as they may not encounter any problems. If there are problems they will stop the session.