Frustrated residents take councillors to task over travellers

A group of residents from Greenbank Road made an emotional plea to councillors last night (Wednesday 16 July) asking them to take action against travellers on Cronkeyshaw Common.

Around 13 residents came together during the open forum at last night's Rochdale Township Committee meeting to talk about the endless despair they are going through as a result of the travellers.

Residents openly talked about bad behaviour, rubbish, criminal damage and disturbances.

One resident said: “This has been an ongoing issue for 20 years and nothing has been done. Why have you not done anything? Why are you letting us down? How would you like it if I took all of my rubbish and dumped it in your front garden? You wouldn’t put up with it so why should we?”

Another resident spoke of her disgust when one traveller decided to use the outside of her house as a toilet. She added: “It is disgusting. These people are nothing to do with Rochdale and nothing has been done.”

Residents also challenged the council on the cost spent to remove travellers from sites. It is understood that every time a set of travellers are moved it costs around £5,000. Residents added that this is the fifth set of travellers to use Cronkeyshaw Common this year.

The police, who were at the open forum, stated that they are aware of the issue but do have to follow the law when it comes to moving people on.

Inspector Niall Pawson from Rochdale Police said: “A caravan is a house and as with other houses we have to follow the legislation and cannot enter that house unless we have a warrant. We have to work within the home office guidelines when it comes to moving travellers on. I understand that it is frustrating for the residents but we have to follow those procedures.”

Councillors were appalled to hear what the residents are going through with many of them "ashamed" that law abiding and tax paying residents have to go through these issues on a daily basis.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed said: “This has been ongoing for a long time. I can’t face these residents any more because we haven’t done anything.”

Councillor Peter Winkler said: “It makes my blood boil that this is happening. The process is wrong and needs changing. If people want to come to Rochdale then let them come and do it the right way.”

Councillor Pat Sullivan said: “I can’t believe we have to sit here and listen to law abiding people put up with this. It makes us as councillors feel useless and helpless.”

Residents then raised the issue of fencing off the area to stop travellers with vehicles entering the site. As a community, they are willing to pay for the fencing and would work to erect the fencing.

Officers from Environment Health weren’t sure if this was the right way to go as the land is common land and common land can’t be fenced off.

Councillor Sultan Ali, Chairman of the Rochdale Township Committee, wants to see action taken and proposed that the residents form a friends group to allow them to apply for funding and to allow them to come together with the council to find funding options for a reasonable way of solving the problem.

It is understood that the travellers are due to be served with an eviction notice to leave the site on Friday (18 July).