TOUGH action is being demanded to tackle travellers who have "mindlessly" left a trail of devastation across Swanley.

Swanley town councillors are writing to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Home Secretary David Blunkett and the Environment Minister Michael Meacher pressing for a change to the law so private and public land is protected from trespassers.

They also pledged, during a heated meeting on June 26, to tighten up bylaws so travellers settling on public land can be moved off immediately and to send bills to travellers' solicitors for compensation.

Town councillors vented their frustration at the damage and disruption caused by groups of travellers camping in the children's area in Petham Place, Morton Industrial Estate, the Connex station in Everest Place and the recreation ground in Hextable's Lower Road.

More travellers than ever before have set up camps in Swanley this summer, leaving Whiteoak Wanderers without a football pitch, ruining Hextable Cricket Club's cricket square, causing delays to the Swanley in Bloom effort and disrupting train services.

It will cost the council tens of thousands of pounds to clear up the mess and Councillor Mike Hogg said: "The more money it costs us, the less money we will have to provide services to the people of Swanley."

He said: "Residents have not paid money for the council to clear up after these selfish, mindless individuals who think they're above the law."

Letters will be sent to local MPs asking them to join calls for new national legislation, including Sevenoaks MP, Michael Fallon.

Mr Fallon brought the matter up at the House of Commons a day after the council meeting.

He says it must be easier to get eviction notices and the police should do more.

Saying the Government should cover the costs, he told News Shopper: "It's quite unfair a small parish or town council should have to pay for it."

Normally it would be hard to seek compensation from travellers because they have no fixed address.

But the council is able to seek compensation to cover cleaning costs at Petham Place because the travellers who camped there got their solicitor to contact the town clerk stating that they had welfare needs.

SHOPPER TO LAND ON BLAIR'S DESK

SWANLEY town councillors are sending the News Shopper to Prime Minister Tony Blair in their quest to see a change in the law on illegal trespass.

The News Shopper has consistently highlighted the disruption and damage inflicted by travellers on ordinary lives.

One front page told how fledgling football club, Whiteoak Wanderers, have been left without a football pitch and club house after more than 60 caravans were driven onto the recreation ground in Lower Road, Hextable.

The News Shopper will be sent to the Prime Minister, the Home Secretary David Blunkett and Environment Minister Michael Meacher to support a letter from the town council asking the Government for new legislation to protect private and public land from travellers.

July 9, 2002 12:30