Travellers Encamped On Stoke Park Given Notice to Move On by Borough Council

Published on: 1 Jun, 2022
Updated on: 2 Jun, 2022

Unauthorised traveller caravans at Stoke Park (June 1).

By Hugh Coakley

Notice has been served on an unauthorised encampment of 26 caravans pictured on Stoke Park today (Wednesday, June 1). GBC said the caravans had arrived on May 26, and the notice required the group to move on by May 28.

One of the Travellers told The Dragon they would “probably be gone tomorrow”.

A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Stoke Park which we have received a number of complaints about. We are working closely with GBC in responding to this and have been carrying out regular patrols in the area.

“Please continue to report any issues or concerns to us by sending us a private message, or speak to one of our uniformed officers in the area.”

A total of 26 caravans were counted.

The caravan residents were generally reluctant to speak to The Guildford Dragon NEWS but Jim Connors spoke openly. He said: “The council are treating us okay. It’s better than some of the places.

“They said they would provide toilets but they haven’t yet. But GBC has been okay and taken way the rubbish, which is good, otherwise the black bags just get ripped up by the foxes and other wildlife and it gets blown around.

“We travel all over the UK and Europe. We will probably be gone tomorrow.

“We are who we are and we all have rights. We are working class people and we pay our taxes. But people can be racist towards us.

“We didn’t decide yesterday to live in a caravan. I’ve lived in caravans all my life and will go on so. People have to get used to it.”

Lead councillor for Environment, James Steel (Lib Dem, Westborough) said: “We are in the process of doing all we can to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

“The group were served with a notice to move on by May 28. As the unauthorised encampment has remained at Stoke Park an application has been made to the magistrate’s court to make an order to move.

“We are monitoring the situation continuously and have provided the occupants with bin bags and made arrangements to remove any rubbish.”

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