Travellers who invaded local park to be 'trapped' as locals given update 'they probably don't want to hear'

Local councillors visited the park on Monday and spoke directly with the group, subsequently warning them they risk becoming trapped on the grounds.

Planned roadworks on Horse Shoes Lane are set to proceed regardless of the encampment, which the councillors said could take up to a week to resolve through the formal eviction process.

Reform Councillors Rachel Conaghan and Darren Colling posted a video update following their visit.

Councillor Conaghan acknowledged that numerous residents had flagged the arrival of travellers on the site but stressed that the council's ability to act was constrained.

She said: "Unfortunately our hands are tied, there's not much we can do. We've had a word with them, we've reported it to the officers.

"It's going to take a week for them to be moved on, so just a bit of heads-up really, I know it's not the answer you guys probably what to hear."

Travellers who invaded a local park over the Bank Holiday risk becoming 'trapped'

FACEBOOK/RACHEL CONAGHAN

The councillors had recorded their update after meeting the latest group occupying the park.

Councillor Colling confirmed that the scheduled roadworks on Horse Shoes Lane would not be delayed by the encampment.

He said: "I have actually spoken to the contractor today just to make them aware of the situation but this won't stop them."

He revealed that he had directly cautioned the travellers about the consequences of remaining.

A convoy of caravans has moved onto Sheldon Country Park in Birmingham

GOOGLE

He said: "I have obviously informed the travellers that they're gonna get trapped."

The councillor added that he had hoped this would motivate the group to leave voluntarily: "Hopefully that would have made them aware and an incentive to move on but unfortunately it's not going to."

Councillor Colling also pledged to address the park's vulnerability to future incursions.

He said: "We are dealing with the matter and also looking at improving the security because there are a couple of bollards here which haven't been used for such a long time and we are going to get those implemented."

Reform Councillors Rachel Conaghan and Darren Colling posted a video update following their visit

BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL

The Friends of Sheldon Country Park had earlier raised the alarm on Facebook, reporting that the group was thought to have established itself in the main car park and potentially at the Horseshoe Lane entrance.

A previous Bank Holiday occupation of the park had resulted in what was described as a "trail of destruction" and approximately 100 bags of rubbish.

Birmingham City Council told GB News: "The council remains committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it."