WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has labelled the 'failure' to take immediate action on unlawful travellers at Silver Lane as 'totally unacceptable'.

Mrs Jones, along with Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft councillors Matt Smith, Joan Grime and Jan Davidson, called for swift action following the encampment of five caravans and associated vehicles over the weekend.

A £6,000 gate was installed at the site last year to deter travellers from coming onto the land but it continues to be blighted by groups.

Resident Charles Bold, 64, spotted the 'damaged gate' when passing by on Saturday morning before informing the council and police.

He said: "It had been thrown to one side when I saw it."

Mrs Jones said she would be writing to council chief executive Steven Broomhead to 'demand assurances that officers would not be so lax in the future' following the 'failure to take action'.

She added: "I was astonished to receive an e-mail from the gypsy and traveller liaison officer telling me there would be no action until after the weekend as the travellers had promised to leave by then.

"It is totally unacceptable that my constituents in Croft and Birchwood should face another weekend of disruption.

"If I parked on a double yellow lines, I couldn't escape a ticket by saying that I'd move in a few hours. An illegal encampment should not be treated differently.

"The law should apply equally to everyone."

The council has confirmed the encampment left Silver Lane yesterday, Sunday, and that a removal notice was not issued.

In a joint statement Cllr Smith, Cllr Grime and Cllr Davidson said they are 'deeply concerned' about the impact the 'incursions' are having on residents and businesses.

"It is exceptionally frustrating that despite the investment in the gate to prevent such incursions, this is the third time such an incident has occurred," they added.

"On each occasion the gate or bollards have been damaged to gain access to the site. Those responsible for this criminal damage should be held responsible for their actions.

"It is equally frustrating that given the timing of this incident both residents and councillors alike are left without a response to their queries and uncertain of what action, if any, has been taken over the weekend.

"Given the criminal damage to the gate we believe the police should be able to move the travellers on very quickly."

Mr Bold has called on the council to introduce tougher measures at the site and feels a transit camp is not the solution.

He added: "I think the people responsible will get away with it, unless someone sees them do it they will not be caught.

"We have to make it physically impossible or they will continue coming onto the land.

"The council should mound the road, it could also be landscaped to turn it into an asset.

"The problem is costing the council a lot of money but a transit site will not solve anything.

"Money could be spent on residents, the residents are getting a rough deal out of the council.

"If they have £2 million to spend it should be spent on things like public transport, I think the council is under-cutting residents."