Unauthorised Traveller Encampments and Fly-Tipping


Photo of the Palace of Westminster by DiliffI know that many Wycombe constituents were concerned to read the Bucks Free Press report about how much it cost to clean-up the old High Wycombe sports centre site after travellers set up camp earlier this year. I can fully understand these concerns because we all want to ensure our taxes are spent prudently for the betterment of our community.

I am speaking to Wycombe District Council about whether they were able to effectively use available powers to remove the unauthorised travellers’ encampment from the old sports centre site, and I have encouraged the Council to consider whether they need new or additional powers to prevent such a situation arising again in the future.

Parliament debated the issue of unauthorised traveller encampments in October. You can read the debate here in Hansard. The Government has announced a consultation on the effectiveness of enforcement against unauthorised development and encampments. I wrote to the Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government highlighting the issue of fly-tipping including systematic dumping at unauthorised traveller encampments.

The Minister has affirmed that the Government takes the issue of unauthorised encampments and associated problems very seriously, and a call for evidence will be announced in due course. You can read the Minister’s response here: Minister Letter 041117.

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Comments & Responses

One Response so far.

  1. K Werner says:

    Apart from “travellers” issues: the government and councils should also be pressing for legislation which obliges residents (whether owner-occupiers or renters) to maintain their share of the pavement (for example weekly sweeping and litter-picking) and to desist from using pavements as storage space for bulky household rubbish. The amount of rubbish that is lying around Wycombe’s streets is unbelievable, and seemingly people don’t care.
    I would also suggest that “Adopt a Street” schemes should be promoted where re4sidents take responsibility for their immediate areas (this is in addition to council services)- Reading and Maidenhead already have these schemes.