Travellers in Battlefield ignore town council eviction notice
A group of travellers who have set up camp on the outskirts of Shrewsbury have defied an eviction notice served on them by the town council.
Around six caravans set up camp near a children's play area on land off Shillingston Drive in Battlefield on Friday.
Officials from Shrewsbury Town Council, which owns the land, issued an eviction notice asking them to move on by 5pm on Monday.
However, the group has defied the order and has remained on the site.
Town council bosses have now vowed to take court action to remove them from the area.
Helen Ball, town clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "Notice was served to a group of travellers who had set up residence on land at Shillingston Drive on Friday requesting that all vehicles be removed from the site by 5pm on Monday.
"This request has not been met and the town council will therefore be taking the appropriate action through the courts to remove the vehicles, and occupiers, from the land."
According to residents the travellers have attached a washing line to the play area and been spotted on the site with children and dogs.
Locals say it is not the first time that travellers have camped there.
One concerned Berwick grange resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "We were a bit surprised to see so many travellers on Shillingston Drive.
"Last time we had travellers on that site, some years ago, it was left in a terrible state."
Maria Wilkinson, a spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said: "We have had several calls and police are monitoring the situation."
