Temporary stopping places and toilet facilities look set to be provided for visiting Gypsy, Roma and Travellers in Trafford. The move has been prompted by a spike in the number of unauthorised visits by such communities in the borough last year to 12.
Trafford council's scrutiny committee has considered a series of recommendations following the 2021 encampments. Director of growth and regulatory services Adrian Fisher told councillors it cost 'several thousand pounds' to clean up areas following last year's visits.
He spoke of 'stopping points' - sometimes disused roads - where Travellers could lawfully stop temporarily and where there would be mobile facilities like bins and toilets. There could also be a 'transit site' - a permanent facility for the mobile communities.
Mr Fisher said that historically there have been 'occasional' visits by Travellers to Trafford, but last year the number was exceptionally high. However, he went on to say: "The Cheshire authorities had 50 visits each."
The committee was told that the Gypsy, Roma and some Traveller people are protected against discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 in England, although 'travelling show people and 'New Age Travellers' do not enjoy protection.
It has been recommended that the council identifies specific sites in Trafford for use by Travellers for the next five years and for them to be included in the Local Plan.
Ward councillors will also be contacted as soon as Travellers visit, and are to be kept up to date on any action being taken. There will also be 'Gypsy and Traveller cultural awareness training to be rolled out councillors, staff and partners'. The scrutiny committee has already arranged for such training by a specialist provider.
Representatives of the Traveller communities will also be consulted on any plans affecting them.
Coun Kevin Procter said there was 'a lot of good' in the recommendations and suggested consulting with Traveller communities and drawing up 'acceptable behaviour contracts', alluding to instances of 'loud music late at night' during last year's encampments.
"They would know where they stand and it would be better from the residents' point of view."
However, Coun Dylan Butt said this may be difficult because they are 'transient communities'. "They do cause lots of anxiety for residents in the locations that they are in," he said.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Police make sickening discovery after seizing phone of pervert caught out by 'Justice for the Innocent' group
- Diners and staff 'horrified' after mouse spotted at one of Manchester's most expensive restaurants
- 'He could've ended up dead': Mum's horror after 2-YEAR-OLD son escapes from nursery and crosses road alone
- 'Grotesque' torturer kidnapped dad and poured boiling water on genitals in 12-hour ordeal
- The beautiful Greater Manchester park full of Victorian charm
