Traveller families set up camp on car park near new Telford Aldi

At least six caravans and vans parked up on the overflow car park at Aldi in Madeley Court Road yesterday afternoon.

The supermarket only opened a fortnight ago. Shoppers were still able to access the store as the travellers were on an area away from the store. A number of caravans were at the site, as well as a horse box.

It is the latest case of an unofficial traveller site in the Telford area.

In October, caravans could be found at Halesfield 5, Alumasc in Halesfield 19 and on the roadside close to Stafford Park 12 in the space of a week. Travellers also set up camp on the Ironbridge park and ride earlier this year.

Businesses were up in arms about the sites, with one company filling huge sandbags with plastic recycling to prevent travellers from getting onto its land.

But Telford & Wrekin Council is looking for ways to reduce illegal sites in the town.

Last week, a traveller site aimed at tackling illegal encampments in Telford won the approval of planning chiefs.

A temporary site will be built in Snedshill. It site will allow 29 caravans to stay for a maximum of 28 days in a bid to crack down on illegal encampments.

However, angry residents stormed out of the meeting while discussing the plans, which received more than 300 objections.

Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: "We are working closely with the police to ensure that any illegal sites on public land are moved on as quickly as they can be, but this can sometimes take several weeks if we have to go via the county courts."

A 15-pitch transit site is also being considered on a site off Holyhead Road.

No-one from Aldi was available to comment today.