Travellers return to Solihull 'Millionaire's row'

Travellers return to Solihull 'Millionaire's row'

Some of the West Midlands' wealthiest homeowners are again at loggerheads with determined travellers who have negotiated a council-dug trench to reclaim a field outside their mansions.

The travellers have parked their 20 caravans in a field outside a prosperous street of Solihull dubbed 'millionaire's row'.

Bringing horses, babies and an army of vans, they have returned after being kicked out only in May, undeterred by a trench dug by the council to prevent their incursions.

The tactful group found a gap in the defences, squeezing their vehicles though a section left unbarricaded to accommodate a pathway. 

Invasion: Some of the West Midlands's wealthiest homeowners are again battling an army of determined travellers

We're back: The travellers have parked their 20 caravans in a park outside a prosperous street of Solihull dubbed 'Millionaire's row'

Determined: Bringing horses, babies and an army of vans, they have returned after being kicked out only in May

Breach: This is the trench that the council dug to stop the travellers - but they found a gap

Furious residents have savaged Solihull Council saying it was 'useless at dealing with the problem'.

Susan Glumley, 47, a retail manager, said: 'You just can't believe the council response. They dug out that trench, but clearly that's been ineffective.'

Michael Wishall, 67, a retired doctor, said: 'It's an absolute disgrace. These people are just a law onto themselves, really. There are elderly people living down here who are just terrified that something is going to happen to them.

'We've all heard the stories of gypsies coming to other areas and causing absolute havoc.'

 A 97-year-old woman, who lives opposite the main site, said: 'It's terrible, isn't it? 'They've just taken that land over, completely. So far they haven't troubled us but we just want them to go.' 

Fine dining: A donkey belonging to the travellers enjoys some succulent grass in the field

The travellers have insisted they'll keep the place tidy and soon be gone. Pictured: The trench

But the travellers have insisted they'll keep the place tidy and soon be gone. One, who only gave his name as John, said: 'We're all tarred with the same brush, and it's not fair.

'There's two groups of us - one from the Kenilworth Horse Fair and another that have been kicked off from somewhere else. 

'We just try to be respectful. If any kids are causing a mess, we always give them a dressing down. Honestly, we just want to leave without causing a mess, and just want it to be as we found it. 

'We've just parked up here for a few days, and we're heading off to another horse fair in a few days.' 

Another traveller said: 'I've not seen any of what's been said about us, I don't pay attent ion to it. We've not done anything to upset anyone so far. 

'We've chosen this field because it's big and open, so the kids and the horses get a bit of freedom. It's also safe. We'll be gone by the end of the week I'm sure.'

One anonymous resident said: 'They moved there on Monday night after being moved on from Bentley Heath where they were throwing rocks at passers by.

'The council needs to be shamed into action as they are useless at dealing with the problem.

'The travellers were there in May, were moved on and now they are back again. More arrived last night, probably even more today. 

Make yourself at home: A group of about 30 travellers caravans and their horses, have set up camp near a leafy millionaires row in Solihull, near Birmingham

The travellers have brought their whole families to stay on the field, including several infants

This is the mound that was dug by the council to stop travellers entering the park to no avail

The travellers even brought a horse box along to the field which they left in the middle of the grass

Parked up: This images shows how the mass of caravans takes up space on the field

'I live on Streetsbrook road and I'm not happy to continue paying my council tax when the council can't even stop this'

Millionaires' row: Streetsbrook Road in Solihull, near the the park that has been taken over

'I live on Streetsbrook road and I'm not happy to continue paying my council tax when the council can't even stop this.'

One local resident who did not wish to be named said: 'It is ridiculous, we have only just seen the last round of these travellers leaving, only to be blighted by another round'.

'The numbers have increased this time and a horse has even been seen grazing on the parkland.'

A spokeswoman for Solihull Council said: 'We are aware of an unauthorised encampment on land off Streetsbrook Road and working alongside Solihull Police, we are undertaking the necessary legal actions to move them on as quickly as possible.'

'To support our evidence gathering it is very important that a s many local residents as possible report any anti-social or criminal behaviour to the police by calling 101. This helps build a picture of the situation for the court to consider when we present our case to them.'   

Furious residents have savaged Solihull Council saying it was 'useless at dealing with the problem'

One anonymous resident said: 'They moved there on Monday night after being moved on from Bentley Heath where they were throwing rocks at passers by'

Having a mare: The donkey was able to roam the park freely, moving between caravans and trees

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