UK Council Digs Trenches Around Parks to Deter Unlawful Encampments

Birmingham City Council has resorted to digging trenches around several parks in the city as a measure to prevent travelers from establishing unlawful encampments.

The defensive trenches, described as being reminiscent of moats, have been dug around the perimeters of at least three parks in recent months. These include Daisy Farm Park, Manningford Road in Druids Heath, and the entrance of Chinn Brook Recreation Ground.

Brandwood Police confirmed that a trench was being dug at Manningford Park specifically to prevent unlawful encampment. This action follows a summer marked by repeated instances where traveler caravans would occupy public land, leading to a cycle of legal clearance and reoccupation elsewhere.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council stated that the increased pressure from encampments has necessitated the consideration of a broader range of preventative measures. "The council adopts a range of proportionate site-management measures to deter unauthorised vehicle access and unauthorised encampments on parks and open spaces where there is an evidenced history of recurring incidents," the spokesperson said.

The council noted that repeated damage to existing boundary infrastructure and access controls has prompted the use of these more robust interventions. "The use of ditches, bunds and other landscape interventions forms part of a broader toolkit of options and is implemented only where considered necessary, appropriate and site-specific," the council added.

Birmingham City Council emphasized its commitment to safeguarding public open spaces for all users and indicated that it would continue to review and monitor the measures in place at individual locations.