MY THANKS to the Andover Advertiser dated October 11, for their wide coverage of the traveller problems recently encountered in Andover and the surrounding area (‘Advertiser investigates’, pages 6 and 7).
Notwithstanding the damage caused by some traveller groups, together with the consequential TVBC costs incurred, there is, unfortunately, anecdotal evidence of a trend towards increasing intimidation of residents by the traveller community frequenting Andover.
TVBC staff are doing all that they can to remedy the situation but we the public must support them in their endeavours by documenting and reporting all cases of intimidation to the Parks & Countryside Department, Test Valley Borough Council, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, SP10 3AJ. My understanding is that all such documented evidence will go towards TVBC obtaining an injunction that will exclude travellers from the Andover area.
Fortunately, we are ably served by the TVBC team (Charlie, Andy, Mat and others – you know who you are) who clean up the unpleasant mess left by the travellers after they depart. The construction of earth banks (to be sown with wildflowers) and other types of fencing is not a long-term solution – more a case of ‘bolting the door after the horse has bolted’.
John Bowman, Elbe Way, Andover
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