Travellers continue to cause misery for residents

Jan 11 2013 by Ross Dunn, Irvine Herald

Irvine residents have become so frustrated with Travellers and their mess that they have considered forming a vigilante group.

The Travelling community have reappeared in Irvine but this time they have settled outside an abandoned factory.

The group of around five caravans have set up residence outside an abandoned factory at North Newmoor Industrial Estate beside Stanecastle roundabout, off Long Drive, and are causing locals grave concern for the environment.

Residents have become so frustrated with the mess being left behind that they have considered taking action.

One local wildlife enthusiast said: “These folk go from one place to another and leave one hell of a mess behind – a mess that’s cleared up at our expense.”

“A few people have become so annoyed that they’ve considered forming a vigilante group because nothing’s being done by the council or the police.”

“The lifestyle they lead is cleaned up by those paying council tax and it’s not fair.”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council, said: “Under government guidelines the council has an obligation to manage unauthorised camps in North Ayrshire.

“Legally, however, it is the landowner, in this case Dawn Construction, who has the right to raise court action to remove unauthorised travellers.

“In this case the landowner has been advised of the situation.

“Travellers, like other communities, are expected to keep the site tidy, use bin bags for refuse, keep animals under control and avoid damage to the site and a council officer has visited the site, along with police, to assess the situation and advise the travellers on their responsibilities and the support available to them.

Central Ayrshire MP Brian Donohoe said that he will be monitoring the situation.