Birmingham City Council has resorted to digging trenches and forming an embankment around Chinn Brook Recreation Ground as a preventative measure against illegal encampments. The action comes days after unauthorized groups with caravans were observed at the Yardley Wood park and at nearby green spaces.
Convoys of caravans have repeatedly accessed Chinn Brook Recreation Ground without permission in recent years, leading to significant costs for the local authority in securing evictions and cleaning up the sites. Similar encampments have also been reported at Daisy Farm, Northfield, and Swanshurst Park. The newly installed trenches are intended to make access for large vehicles and caravans difficult, while still allowing access for council maintenance equipment.
"We welcome the temporary measures being put in place around the park, but we are pushing to get more permanent defences in place as soon as possible," stated Councillors Joe Peacock and Chris Garghan of Billesley Greens. "We've seen multiple instances of unauthorised encampments on the park this summer. We've had residents tell us they have felt intimidated or threatened and do not feel safe using the park while they are there."
Local volunteer clean-up groups have also expressed frustration with the amount of rubbish left behind by encampments, citing the strain on community resources. "Local volunteer clean-up groups have been pushed to the brink with the effort of cleaning up the rubbish left behind," the councillors added.
Around six caravans, accompanied by a horsebox and horses, were present at Chinn Brook Recreation Ground on August 18 and were subsequently served with an eviction notice. On the Monday following the installation of the trenches, residents reported that travelers had returned to Swanshurst Park. Officials have indicated that concrete blocks or bollards are on order to further restrict access to the park gate. The council is also discussing designs for improved defenses as part of a wider initiative to enhance security at 32 city parks and green spaces.
One local resident, John Pedley, 59, who volunteers with litter picking efforts, voiced hope that the measures would deter future encampments. "Hopefully it will stop the travellers from getting onto Chinn Brook Rec, as they cause so much mess - and have no regard for the wildlife and community and around them," he said.