Travellers invade Aberdeen site for seventh time

ROGUE Travellers were today pitched up once again on an Aberdeen road.

Caravans arrived in the turning circle at Hareness Place, in Altens.

The latest encampment is the seventh time in three years Travellers have pulled into the area.

And residents were today “fed up” with the situation.

Nigg community council chairman Alan Strachan said: “You just think, here we go again.”

At the Hareness Place site there were two caravans and four vehicles parked. Three dogs were also chained to a fence and torn white material littered the pavement.

A woman in one of the caravans said the group planned to remain at the site for a few weeks.

Previous Traveller visits have led to clean-ups costing the council £8,758. Rubbish left behind has included smashed-up caravans, beer cans and nappies.

Area councillor Kate Dean said the gypsy Traveller liaison officer had been in contact to inform her of the Travellers’ arrival.

She said: “It is frustrating to see them back again so soon. I would hope it will not continue with the merry-go-round we had last year.

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said the authority was aware of the presence of the Traveller group.

“It is private property,” she said. “We continue to monitor the situation.”

Two more groups of Travellers have also set up camp in Aberdeen.

Three caravans arrived at the car park of Scotstown Moor, Bridge of Don. And around a dozen caravans moved into a car park at Balgownie Road.

kwilson@ajl.co.uk