A GROUP of travellers has been criticised after they spent several days parked along a Middlewich road.


ERF Way, off Pochin Way – a well know spot for travellers – has been left with damaged wooden barriers, horse manure on the pavement and a pile of rubbish.  


Frank Seery, an ex-policeman who now works in Middlewich, said: “They came and made a mess of the place and then just left and nothing is done about it.


“The council should be more positive in their approach instead of just doing nothing and waiting for them to move on because it interferes with commerce and more importantly damages Middlewich’s good name.”


More than 20 travellers parked along the grass at the side of ERF Way on Saturday, June 14 and stayed there all week until last weekend.


Clr Paul Edwards said: “We know we have a problem and it is something that rears its head every now and again.


“The travelling community is the same as every other community – it has good elements and not so good elements – and there is an awful lot of prejudice by some residents against all travellers.


“If travellers do illegally park then it is an issue that does need to be dealt with both through Cheshire East Council and the police.”


A Cheshire East Council spokesman claimed last week that the council did not have any powers to remove them as the travellers were on private property.


An encampment of travellers has now been discovered in Winsford on the Verdin Exchange field.


A spokesman for Cheshire West and Chester Council said they were working in partnership with the police to manage the situation and carry out welfare checks.