Travellers turn beauty spot into 'no-go' area

10:11am Friday 9th May 2008

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TRAVELLERS have turned a picturesque spot into a 'no-go' area, claim nearby residents.

A community of caravans and lorries near Sares Wood, between Briantspuddle and Affpuddle, has caused locals and tourists to avoid the area.

Residents have criticised Dorset County Council for not doing enough to help them.

Nick Gore, who is an Affpuddle and Turners Puddle Parish Council member, said: "There's about 70-odd vehicles up there with quite a lot of people.

"They are covering both sides of the byway and have been there for some considerable time.

"It's an area that is well used by the equestrian community and dog walkers and tourists.

"But people avoid the area like the plague now - it's a no-go area."

Parish council chairman Charles Barter added: "Everybody is up in arms and feel that the council really aren't doing enough to move them on or find another site.

"We feel everything goes in slow motion. Some of the dogs there aren't being kept under control. People are very concerned.

"People avoid it and it is a beautiful area."

Mike Evans, spokesman for Dorset County Council, said the current travellers had been trespassing on the highway for about seven months.

He said: "We are moving towards an eviction now as there doesn't seem a way of negotiating them off. But land either side is owned privately and by the Forestry Commission.

"The eviction will be a joint eviction by the three of us."

Mr Evans said other legal complications had caused a delay.

He said: "It is important we recognise the needs of the travellers.

"Our policy is to tolerate for a little while if we can.

"I have told the parish council that we are working towards the holidays in the summer. But these things are never certain."

Mr Evans added that council efforts to find specific sites for travellers was ongoing.