Council stripped of court powers to evict Travellers from St Annes beach car parks during lockdown

The convoy of caravans moved onto North Beach car park on Sunday, May 24, where they were soon visited by officers from Fylde Council.

There are also reports of another illegal beach front encampment on a car park near the RNLI Lifeboat station in South Promenade.

But the Council said it is unable to remove them from the site by court order due to the ongoing pandemic.

A Council spokesman said: "The normal court powers to evict illegal encampments are not presently available due to coronavirus pandemic.

"Ongoing welfare checks are being covered and we are doing everything we can to manage the clearance of the site."

Guidance issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government says Councils must provide basic amenities for Travellers, including running water, sanitation and refuse collection.

It says: "Some Gypsies and Travellers are particularly vulnerable and have the potential to be particularly impacted by COVID-19, and some will already have been asked to shield for 12 weeks due to high risk underlying health conditions.

"We know that some families lack basic amenities including running water, adequate sanitation, and refuse disposal facilities, all of which are essential to limit the spread of the virus and keep people safe.

"Many will no longer have access to places they may have previously relied on for water and cleaning purposes, due to closures of leisure centres, churches and petrol station toilets.

"The closure of many recycling centres has also had an impact on the disposal of refuse.

"To enable compliance with COVID-19 public health guidance on hygiene requirements, access to these basic facilities is essential.

"This might involve the provision of additional temporary water, sanitation and waste disposal facilities to those currently lacking access to these, or making alternative stopping places available, such as transit sites, suitable local authority land, and holiday campsites which may have closed and have established facilities."

Fylde Council has been approached for comment on services and facilities provided to Travellers at the beach front car parks in St Annes.