Students help travellers in eviction fight (From Echo)

Students help travellers in eviction fight

2:10pm Monday 16th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(11)

TEN university students have been drafted in by travellers to help their fight against eviction.

The first-year pupils, from the Human Rights Centre, at Essex University, in Colchester, will assist traveller families in their ongoing legal battles.

Campaigner Grattan Puxon said: “They are helping out with challenges against homeless applications being made by the families.

“So far, two families are being offered bricks and mortar accommodation, but they want to challenge this on grounds it is against their culture.”

The move comes as the Government delivered the news it would not be able to find a site for travellers outside Basildon.

MP John Baron and the council’s leader, Tony Ball, met Communities Minister Shahid Malik MP in July, to thrash out how to avoid the eviction.

It was hoped the Government would come back with a suitable site, and therefore prevent any eviction at Dale Farm, in Crays Hill. But it hasn’t happened.

Mr Baron accused ministers of refusing to assist Basildon Council, after his request fell on deaf ears.

He said: “The Government has failed abysmally to go the extra mile.

“It has washed its hands of this issue, but not washed away its responsibility.

“The Government has stated Basildon Council must enforce planning law. Yet it will not help find Government land outside the district for travellers to move to.

“Government inaction will not delay the council’s plans to evict. If there is a forced eviction because the travellers do not move on, then the Government, as well as the travellers, is to blame.”

Travellers have vowed to resist attempts to move them. On December 10, when the council votes on one of two bailiff firms it will hire for the eviction, they will protest outside the council offices.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(11)