COUNCILLORS are still 'unable' to recommend a 'suitable' location for Warrington's future £2 million transit site.

It was intended that a shortlist made up of potential locations for a transit camp in the town would be finalised by January last year.

But the matter has faced repeated delays.

And the council confirmed the travellers task group – which is made up of cross-party councillors – has still not been able to recommend a location.

A spokeswoman said: "The travellers task group continues with its work to identify a suitable transit site for consideration by the council's executive board.

"To date, the cross-party working group has considered a number of potential sites but has not been able to recommend a suitable site to progress.

"We will continue to support the group in identifying potential sites and further updates will be provided when a site matching the predetermined criteria has been found."

The council's budget continues to be hit by dealing with unlawful encampments, with vital funds used to carry out site visits and complete clean-up operations.

A future camp would allow the authority to direct groups to the land, with senior Town Hall figures confident that it would dramatically reduce the number of unlawful encampments across the borough.

It has previously been confirmed that the facility, which could be fitted with CCTV, would cost travellers £12.65 per night, or £88.55 weekly, to stay on, while a £150 deposit will also be required.

The authority has almost £2 million set aside to fund it.

Warrington South MP Faisal Rashid has called on the council to find the 'right location' for the transit site 'as a matter of urgency'.