Travellers' camp a 'waste of money'
A travellers camp funded by taxpayers is a "waste of money", according to a councillor who claims it has stood virtually empty since it was built.
The site in Kings Weston Lane, Avonmouth, has been used by just three groups of travellers this year, with five in 2007 and four in 2005, according to Bristol City Tory councillor Spud Murphy.
It was set up seven years ago at a cost of about £630,000 to provide temporary and free accommodation for up 20 families, with estimated annual running costs of £30,000.
The site is open to travellers 365 days a year, has heated showers, a full-time warden and is regularly maintained by council staff.
It provides 20 concrete pitches with electricity points for caravans, as well as toilets and showers.
Mr Murphy said: "I have always said it was a waste of money, but the council does not worry when they are frittering away cash like this. Only a handful of people have stayed there since it was opened in 2001. They could have built an old person's home, a youth club or playground for the kids, but they have squandered money on this rubbish.
"It's a scandal and a matter of embarrassing national disgrace that vast amounts of money have been spent in this manner."
But despite the costs Bristol City Council has reportedly refused to close the site.
A city council spokesman said the site had been a success as it took travellers away from illegal camps elsewhere in Bristol.
6 Comments
by Darren, Bristol
Monday, December 29 2008, 7:46PM
“What makes this more of a joke is that there are travellers still in Avonmouth, about half a mile away from this site at the bottom of Cabot Park. So we spend all this money and they dont use it anyway!
I think Richard has a very good point - ban the travellers and use it as a caravan site for paying tourists. At least there is a chance it will pay for itself rather than cost tax payers.”
by Shelly, Bristol
Monday, December 29 2008, 12:34PM
“'...The site is open to travellers 365 days a year, has heated showers, a full-time warden and is regularly maintained by council staff. It provides 20 concrete pitches with electricity points for caravans, as well as toilets and showers...'
Anyone want to buy my house? I'm moving to Avonmouth...!”
by Richard, Bristol
Monday, December 29 2008, 12:14PM
“It's good that there is somewhere for the travellers to camp. However as this site evidently isn't successful maybe it's time to turn a negative site in to a positive site:
-- Open this site up as a caravan park, everything is in place.
-- There's a need for a caravan park in Bristol for people passing through the area on their way to Cornwall
-- Avonmouth is a good location for people passing through with their caravans in relation to the motorway and cribbs causeway
-- Instead of £30k deficit every year I'd estaimate £50K profit and hense you now have a successful business.
If travellers come to the area they will have to stay in another site, maybe the site close to Almondsbury.”
by Ben, Clifton
Monday, December 29 2008, 1:27AM
“It could also be argued that most Bristol councillors are a "waste of money" but they're still there peddling their anti car policies, interferring with peoples lives, and generally contributing to the demise of the city.”
by James Cocks, Bristol
Monday, December 29 2008, 12:02AM
“Travellers are a serious and dangerous problem in the UK today. It is time that councils stop frittering away money on this so-called PC cause and use it to enforce the planning regulations that these people run rough-shod over. These people do not pay tax and crime rates increase in areas where they set up site. This is a lifestyle choice, not a race, religion, ethnic background, or whatever you want to call it. It's just used as an excuse to take the p***. Apparently, the council's definition of travellers includes those who are permanently settled for whatever reason regardless of race, etc. What a joke. It's time that we stood up to travellers and make sure that they know that they are not welcome unless they want to integrate into normal, decent society.
Eire, where most of the travellers are from do not consider these people as a race, only the UK do. That's why they come over here as they know we are a soft touch. Well done Spud Murphy for highlighting this - it's time for action.”
by John, Bristol
Sunday, December 28 2008, 10:39PM
“The site is a complete joke. It has been trashed several times by the people living there. Each time council tax payers have picked up the repair bill.
The locals never wanted it but it was rammed down our throats. When my wife was involved in a "hit and run" accident in Lawrence Weston we were told by the desk person at Avonmouth police station that we could look for the battered transit van involved on the site but the police would not give us any back-up if things turned nasty. They clearly thought somebody on the site was involved but did not have the manpower to take them on.
What we need is a permanent ANPR camera each side of the entrance so the untaxed / uninsured vehicles can not leave with impunity.”