Travellers move onto playing ground ahead of bank holiday

A GROUP MOVED ON TO HIGHFIELD LANE RECREATION GROUND BIRMINGHAMMAIL.CO.UK 07:42, 22 May 2025Updated 11:03, 22 May 2025 A group of travellers have moved onto a playing field ahead of the Bank

Holiday weekend. The convoy of caravans with trailers drove onto Highfield Lane Recreation Ground on Wednesday evening and set up camp on the fields. A horse and buggy was also spotted

being ridden around the site. READ MORE: BIRMINGHAM TRAVELLER CAMP NEXT TO PARK'S PLAY AREA AFTER 'DIRTY NAPPIES LEFT AT UNI SITE Councillor Sam Forsyth confirmed she had contacted

the council with a view to securing an eviction. She said: "I am aware that there is unauthorised encampment on Highfield Lane Recreation Ground. Article continues below GET THE LATEST

BIRMINGHAMLIVE NEWS DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX "I have made an urgent report to the council and sought appropriate enforcement action to remove this encampment quickly "Could I ask

people to remain calm whilst this legal removal process takes place." The council has said previously on the issue: "Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its

land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it. "The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller

community – which is in line with Government policy – and details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website."

Travellers have been popping up over various locations in the south of the city during the Spring. Article continues below Earlier this month a large group of travellers set up a camp on

land owned by the University of Birmingham. Caravans and other vehicles then moved on to Westhill Close, in Selly Oak, in front of Grade II listed cottages designed by Bournville Trust

architect William Alexander Harvey. A clean-up operation is due to take place after 15 caravans and vehicles vacated Selly Oak Park, off Gibbins Road this week.