Harrogate Borough Council
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Travellers Evicted from Hell Wath
HARROGATE Borough Council has acted swiftly to
move travellers from Hell Wath in Ripon.
Travellers moved onto these new £350,000 as yet 'un-played
on' football pitches home to Ripon City Panthers on Wednesday, 11
May. They are expected to leave the site this
afternoon.
The council served a 24-hour eviction notice on 11 May, which
was ignored by the travellers and the council then had to seek
action through the courts.
Although a court order can take up to three weeks the council
received its order today and it is being served this
afternoon. If the site is not vacated by
Thursday morning (19 May), the council will seek a bailiffs' order
from the court.
Congratulating the council's officers on their quick and
sympathetic approach to this problem, Councillor Pat Jones, Cabinet
Member for Leisure and Amenity Services said:
"Although the travellers illegally entered the site by breaking
through a temporary fence which had been provided to protect a
recently planted hedgerow itself a deterrent for vehicle access
they have as far as I am aware not caused a nuisance or any major
damage.
"We are also grateful to North Yorkshire Police for their help
and support. Indeed, the local bobby has kept a
close watch on the situation. Once he had
explained that the pitches were being prepared for this year's
football season, the council's parks team provided cones around the
new grass and the travellers agreed to drive round
them. Although there have been calls for more
robust fencing at the site, this is public open space and has to be
available for the public at all times. However,
we will be looking at security for the future."
ENDS