Travellers who set up camp in Witham should face bills for clearing their mess, be given proper sites to camp on, or even have their vehicles clamped, according to the town council.

These were the suggestions put forward at Witham Town Council's community services meeting.

Insp Alan Cotgrove, of Witham police, told councillors the travellers had moved on as quickly as they had promised last week from near the Whetmead Nature Reserve but they had left "quite a considerable amount of mess" that would have to be cleared.

He added that the police had advised Braintree Council to contact the Environment Agency who could prosecute those responsible as long as they could be located within the county.

Michael Lager, Witham central ward, said: "I don't see why the rest of us should pick up the bill for cleaning up the mess. Perhaps Braintree Council could pursue them for the cost."

He added: "If you park on private land you get clamped, perhaps some similar scheme could be used."

Witham mayor Keiron Boylan said: "This is an ongoing concern, in future we have to discuss this with Braintree Council and Essex County Council because it is a major problem."

"We need to get appropriate sites for these people then perhaps some of the damage will stop," he added.

The council proposed to discuss the matter further with Braintree Council.

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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