Travellers Move On To Horsenden Hill Summit

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Another new encampment has taken up residence locally

(Photos contributed)

The ongoing issue of travellers in the borough continues with a new encampment now based on Horsenden Hill.

Witnesses report seeing about 10 caravans arriving at the car park on Monday (21 January) afternoon, with police and Ealing officers also in attendance.

It's thought they may be the same group that has recently been located in the site of Gurnell Leisure Centre on Ruislip Road.

It's the latest in a pattern of incursions in the area with a group recently seen off private land in Hanwell.

(photo: Liz Jenner)

However they left behind a huge amount of rubbish.

( photo: Liz Jenner)

Last year over 1,500 people signed a petition calling on Ealing Council to implement a borough-wide injunction on all public open spaces and other council-owned land to prevent such unauthorised encampments occurring. The Council rejected the petition saying such and approach "was not appropriate or feasible for the borough at present".

Ealing council say it is private land and the responsibility of the landowner and add that any borough-wide injunction would not include private land, only council owned and public spaces.

Regarding the Horsenden encampment a spokesperson said, ''Notices were served yesterday ( 22 January) and expire today. Should they remain, officers will attend court at the next possible opportunity with a view of obtaining a removal order.''

January 22 2019 ( updated 23rd)