Action over travellers

A REMEDY has been found for the occasional problem of travellers in Hailsham.

Several caravans set up camp in the Country Park at the end of Gleneagles Drive three weeks ago, sparking fears from residents that they would be troublesome.

The town council's environment and leisure committee, which met on Monday, has now decided to fence off the area of public land to keep caravans out.

Committee chairman Cllr Nick Ellwood said: 'We were faced with having to take out an injunction to remove them, which costs 1,000, or take more permanent action.'

When the recent group of travellers were challenged, they said they only wanted to stay the weekend and they would be gone by Monday. They stayed true to their word.

Disruptive gang

However, this piece of parkland, which is owned by the town council, was also used by a disruptive gang of gipsies about two years ago. Removing them proved to be a great problem.

The new fence, which will be of the 'cleft chestnut post and rail' variety, will not prevent walkers from using the land, but will restrict access by vehicles.

'If travellers try to break the fence and gain entrance,' said Cllr Ellwood, 'the police will be able to act as it will be a case of criminal damage. We've never had any problem with travellers in fenced-off areas of the Country Park.'

It is not yet known how much the fence will cost, but guesses are high. The proposal will now be passed on to the finance committee, whose members can decide to scrap the idea if they think it's too expensive for the council's pocket.

Cllr Nigel Coltman, who is on both committees, said he thought it was a good idea in principle. 'It's land that's meant for the people of Hailsham, rather than the people who stop by for a couple of days and mess it up.

'I don't have any problem with travellers, but in this case the local residents must come first. However, it will cost a lot of money, and just because we think it's a good idea doesn't mean we can necessarily afford it there was no allowance for it in the budget.'

Quotes are now being sought to determine the exact cost of such a fence.