Around 20 caravans broke through a fence at Woodgate Valley Country Park in Birmingham early on Sunday, just hours after a warning about illegal encampments. The group gained access via the corner of Clapgate Lane and Sommerfield Road, damaging fencing that cost tens of thousands of pounds to install.
Coun John Lines (Con, Bartley Green) said more caravans arrived on Monday, bringing the total to an estimated 40-50. The council served an eviction notice on Tuesday, requiring the travellers to leave by Thursday or face bailiffs. Lines expressed concern for the 450-acre park, a registered conservation area with meadows, woodland, ponds, and the Bourn brook.
“It’s a community asset,” Lines said. “Residents are so upset because it happened about two years ago. Apart from destroying the perimeter fencing, they left an appalling mess.” He noted that councillors had spent £100,000 of ward money on securing parks in the area over the last five years.
Mark Croxford, Head of Environmental Health at Birmingham City Council, stated: “The council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where illegal encampments encroach upon it.”
