Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Semington travellers - WCC starts enforcement action.
The following is the (full) text of an email from WCC.

"Dear Resident,

I refer to recent e-mails in connection with the large group of travellers who occupied the former A350 (south of Little Marsh) on the afternoon of Tuesday 8 July 2008.

I have already discussed the County Council's approach with the Chairman to Semington Parish Council, County Councillor Clark, and a representative for Andrew Murrison, MP, who all understand the pressures that you are facing and the additional hurdles that any local authority must comply with in order to satisfy prevailing human rights considerations - for both the settled communuty and the travellers themselves - and subsequently, to facilitate the safe passage of any legal proceedings.

On behalf of Wiltshire County Council - in its capacity as Highway Authority for this retained section of public highway - I served initial warning notices upon all persons and all vehicles present at the site yesterday morning (9th July). The additional requirement placed upon the local authority to undertake formal welfare enquiries amongst the group will be completed very shortly. However, I am already aware of a heaviliy pregnant mother within the group for whom special considerations may have to be accommodated.

When the outcome of the welfare enquiries is to hand, the Solicitor to the County Council will be requested to consider the facts and to authorise robust enforcement action.

Whilst possibly not of specific interest to the Semington community, you should be aware that Wiltshire County Council is currently involved in several concurrent enforcement actions across the County at the present time which inevitably places considerable strains upon the limited resources that we have available."