Judge backs bid to move travellers on

A group of travellers and their animals have been ordered to leave land near Stanley Park.
Caravans were parked near the entrance to Stanley ParkCaravans were parked near the entrance to Stanley Park
Caravans were parked near the entrance to Stanley Park

District Judge Jeff Brailsford, sitting at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court, approved an order to remove 14 caravans, six vans, two cars and four dog kennels from a road and the entrance leading to Stanley Park.

The travellers set up their encampment on Tuesday and were ordered to have moved out by today or be removed by contractors employed by Blackpool Council.

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Applying for the order, Lynda Bennett, prosecuting for the council, said the travellers had already been served with one notice to leave but had ignored it.

Council public protection officer Lloyd Anderson said two of the caravans had parked next to a main entrance to the park. They had dogs with them and had put up a satellite dish.

He told the hearing that the first notices had been wedged in the caravan doors

“We do not tape them as the owners do not like having tape put on their caravans,” said the officer.

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He said that one of the vans appeared to have come from Leeds and was signed up as a firm doing drives and block paving.

Checks revealed many of the vehicles were not taxed and did not have MOTs.

Three people attended court but left the building before the hearing started.

Granting the order Judge Brailsford said: “I am entirely content with this order as this is an unauthorised incursion in defiance of a council directive.”