Traveller Encampment Departs From Welstead Way

Enforcement action taken against camp near Stamford Brook Tube station

A traveller encampment of about six caravans and several vehicles has left the car park at Welstead Way, off Bath Road.

Hounslow Council served notice on the group yesterday to depart the area which is close to Stamford Brook station.

The group, which was camped on the 40-space public car park run by Hounslow Council, left the area this afternoon (Tuesday, June 11th).

It is believed they entered the area over the weekend, possibly sometime on Saturday night (8 June).

There had been some reports from locals saying they have been the subject of threatening behaviour in the vicinity of the camp and some nearby businesses attributed an increase in petty crime in the area to the arrival. Locals also complained about loud music and barking dogs and that they are unable to use the car park.

This latest incursion, follows on from recent encampments, in the Lendlease site at Essex Place, at Chiswick Back Common, and more recently, at Dukes Meadows. All of these were moved after a few days.

Recently, concern has been raised about an increase in possible traveller incursions into open spaces in the Chiswick area after Ealing Council had obtained a borough wide injunction against camps. The injunction forbids caravans, mobile homes, vans and lorries from coming onto public land for the purpose of occupying it or depositing waste.

Hounslow Council was also believed to be seriously considering seeking a similar injunction, in a bid to prevent displacement by traveller encampments coming into the borough.

The Council told us some weeks ago; "While we continue to explore our options with regard to unlawful occupation of public land by any party, we have yet to decide what further measures we may take to discourage future illegal trespass."

Lendlease had to take action to step up security on one of its sites, following the recent incursion of several caravans into a vacant site behind Sainsbury's. After the travellers left, the company had to get rid of mounds of rubbish and building waste which was left behind.

In previous years there have been travellers staying or short periods of time at Dukes Meadows.

The High Court injunctions sought by the Councils only relate to public land. In theory this could expose private landowners to greater risk of incursions.

Such sites in the Chiswick area include the B&Q site, the Chiswick Curve site, and others in the Gunnersbury area.

June 11, 2019