Bromham & Biddenham Cllr Roger Rigby has called on Bedford Borough Council to implement ‘physical or legal’ measures to protect a site from illegal encampments.
Last week the Great Ouse Way saw an unauthorised encampment at the entrance to what will be a country park delivered as part of the Bedford Western Bypass.
This is the second time such an occupation has occurred at this site. At a meeting of the Borough Council on Wednesday (22nd), Cllr Rigby requested action on the part of the Council to prevent it from happening again. He said:
‘Following an illegal traveller encampment last year on the Great Ouse Way at a service entrance to the as yet unopened country park, another encampment arrived last Wednesday. The encampment has now been vacated leaving rubbish, brick, rubber and other debris.
‘After the first encampment, I asked for steps to be taken to prevent a re-occupation, but none have been forthcoming.
‘After an illegal encampment, whether the sites are private or publically owned, it is always sensible to look to prevent further encampments. This site consists of a wide grass shoulder against a large concrete driveway to the country park.
‘My understanding from the previous incident was that it was owned by the Borough and developers jointly. It is sad that valuable financial resources will need to be spent clearing the site along with officer time and expense, to evict the occupants. This will likely happen time and time again if no prevention measures are put in place.’