Travellers' mess at Forres Enterprise Park leaves Highlands and Islands Enterprise with another bill to pay
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A GROUP of travellers have left a locally-based Government agency to foot the bill for removing their rubbish.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have repeatedly attempted and failed to prevent travelling communities from parking vehicles and caravans in-and-around Forres Enterprise Park - and this summer was no different as groups settled at the roadside in May, June and July.
A HIE spokesman said: "The presence of travellers on the enterprise park was made even more challenging than usual this year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
"We’ve now secured the area with concrete posts in a bid to prevent any repeat visits.
"Unfortunately, clean-up costs will need to be borne by HIE as the landowner."
The Gazette reported the presence of travellers at the site in early July when HIE confirmed a car, garden waste and rubbish had been left by the first group. At that point, HIE was in discussion with Police Scotland and Moray Council with a view to instigating enforcement proceedings.
More recently, a police spokesperson said: "We were aware of the encampment and engaged with our partners at Moray Council for the duration of it. We have not received, nor are investigating, any criminal complaints."
The local authority provided the travellers with chemical toilet facilities and visited the site regularly in accordance with the Scottish Government’s guidance on supporting gypsy/traveller communities during Covid-19.
A council spokeswoman said: "We’ve been using the framework to put in place the necessary support, and engaging with the community at the site."
The framework highlights the need to: "Support gypsy/travellers to access suitable accommodation and to have safe and secure places to stay. Different approaches will be necessary to meet the needs, depending on local circumstances.
"A core principle to guide decisions in all circumstances is the need to engage directly to understand their particular circumstances and what responses are needed to keep people safe locally."
