Travelers move into family park ahead of sunny weekend

Travelers moved to a popular family park. A large convoy set up camp in Swanshurst Park on Friday 17th May.

An image posted by Simon Phipps, the Conservative general election candidate for Selly Oak, showed more than a dozen caravans and vehicles spread around the park, close to a play area off Yardley Wood Road. He said the group was notified to leave by Monday.

Mr Phipps said: “It is not fair that anyone should occupy our parks and green spaces so that residents cannot enjoy the facilities. I’m glad that quick action was taken to notify on this occasion, but Birmingham City Council needs to do more to prevent this happening in the future and protect parks and green spaces, just like other boroughs in the West Midlands.”

READ MORE: Birmingham couple take pet parrots shopping and pub lunches but one ‘loves the mess’

The park hosts fun fairs and a circus during the summer months. Every day, it’s a haven for dog walkers and others who enjoy the open spaces and tree-lined paths.

The site was previously occupied by travellers. Birmingham City Council has previously said it will take action to reclaim land where there are illegal encampments.

It said: “Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take action to reclaim this land where unauthorized encampments are encroaching.

“The council has transit sites and usable land for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveler community – which is in line with Government policy – ​​and details of the Gypsy and Traveler Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website . “