Bishops unite to back travellers

The bishop of Brentwood, the Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, and the bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, are jointly urging Basildon Council to provide more sites for travellers.

They are backing a letter from the Traveller Law Reform Project to Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley, expressing "deep concern" over the council's decision to appeal a High Court ruling which put eviction plans at Dale Farm on ice.

The bishops also voiced support at a Building Better Communities Conference held in Wickford to devise ways for the church to help bring travellers closer to the settled community.

Bishop McMahon, who counts the majority of the local travellers among his flock, as Roman Catholics, said: "The Government has told local councils to find permanent sites for travellers. I endorse this as I believe this would provide a lasting, fundamental solution.

"Local clergy are building good relationships between travellers, neighbours and parishioners."

A Traveller Law Reform Project statement, endorsed by both bishops, reads: "We welcome the judgement made by Justice Collins and believe it is right for a forced eviction action at Dale Farm to be suspended. We call for the creation of new pitches in the Basildon area as a matter of urgency."

Government policies would force Basildon to create dozens of new pitches by 2011. Southend would also have to provide spaces for 15 caravans.

However, Mr Buckley insists Basildon Council has already taken its fair share. He said: "The number of sites here has increased from 26 to 116 in ten years.

"We are looking at an almost 400 per cent increase in a decade and I don't think we should be made to make another substantial increase."

He added the council would not back down over Dale Farm.

He added: "We will only drop the appeal if they voluntarily move off the site first. Everyone recognises they have to move.

"It was made very clear by the judge. The only matter is when."