THE need for a transit site in the town has again been highlighted to solve the financial implications for the council when moving on unlawful travellers.

Concerns have been raised in the past week after groups of caravans were spotted at numerous locations across the town.

Birchwood Forest Park, Sankey Valley Park, Silver Lane in Risley and Fir Tree Lane in Burtonwood were some of the sites affected.

Cllr Russ Bowden (LAB – Birchwood), who is in charge of the council's budget, has reaffirmed his support for a transit site in the town.

"I am fully supportive of developing a designated transit site here in Warrington so that unauthorised encampments can be quickly moved to that site or else out of the borough area," he said.

"It is frustrating to see the council moving travellers from one site to the next, incurring the costs of officer time, bailiffs, courts and cleaning up.

"This is money that could be more usefully spent on vital services for Warrington residents.

"We need to have a mature debate about travellers in Warrington and take residents with us to speak on the longer term benefits of providing a transit site here in the town."

He hit out at the actions of the travellers but insists the council will continue to assist the police to ensure residents do not suffer.

"The council has worked hard to protect public green spaces such as Birchwood Forest Park," he added.

"However, access is still needed to do grass cutting, landscaping and other works.

"The travellers gained entry by breaking the lock on the gate, which is criminal damage – I am pleased that the council moved quickly to remove the travellers, to clean up and resecure the site."

The council is progressing with the installation of a gate on Silver Lane to prevent travellers coming onto the land.

It is set to be delivered within the next two weeks.

"Residents have dealt with unauthorised encampments there for a number of years and we have to bring this situation to a close," added Cllr Bowden.

"The council works with other agencies such as the police to deal with unauthorised traveller encampments wherever they occur.

"Unfortunately, there is a proper legal process to go through to remove them from public land and that means that removal can take a number of days."

Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft councillors Chris Vobe and Matt Smith have also been pushing for the introduction of the gate.

Cllr Vobe said: "The installation of the gate on Silver Lane will come as a great relief to residents throughout Croft and Risley who have suffered the after-effects of numerous traveller incursions.

"Residents will be pleased that the latest traveller incursion has ended.

"However, it is now vital that the council and Biffa progress quickly with the installation of the barrier to complete the stopping up of Silver Lane.

"I continue to liaise with the council chief executive on this.

"Matt and I have worked closely with our colleagues in Birchwood to press for the stopping up of the lane since permission was granted by the council's traffic committee in April.

"While the delay has been frustrating, we are hopeful that the new barrier and the forthcoming landscaping works will significantly enhance the area."