WWW.OURCHIPPENHAM.CO.UK

admin · Site Admin Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 59

FROM THE GAZZETTE.

Gypsy protesters take to the streets of Chippenham

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Chippenham this morning to campaign against the district council's proposal to set up a permanent gypsy site in the county.

Nearly 300 people, aged from two to 72, marched from Stanley Park to the North Wiltshire District Council offices in Monkton Park to hand a petition of thousands of signatures to council leader Dick Tonge.

One organiser, Stan Thomas said: "We are all just disgusted with the way that the district council has handled this and the underhand way they have tried to deal with us.

advertisement"This march is about showing the district council that they cannot make such huge decisions without hearing from us.

"This is nothing whatsoever to do with the travellers."

The protesters were flanked by 11 community support officers from Chippenham Police and the police helicopter was scrambled to oversee any traffic problems.

Police cars blocked off London Road as the protesters walked their way through the High Street.

The stream of people were holding banners, which read 'We Pay So We Should Stay', 'North Wiltshire District Council Hands Off Our Children's Playing Field' and 'Road Safety First'.

As the march arived at the council offices, everyone started to chant for justice and Coun Tonge spoke briefly to thank the protesters while being heckled by the group.

He said: "Thank you all for coming and I understand exactly what you are saying."

Peter Thomas, who lives on Long Close, one of the four sites earmarked for the gypsy site in Chippenham, said: "We selected these councillors in and we can get them out.

"It is time they start doing their job and representing the people they are accountable."

There will now be a meeting on Monday night at the district council offices for people to have their say on the gypsy sites.

rosco · Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 14

Was anyone here actually at the protest? How did it go and did it seem worthwhile?

Jouster · Joined: 16 Nov 2007 Posts: 74

According to CEEFAX all proposed Gypsy sites in North Wilthishire have been deemed unsuitable by the council.

Kizzy · Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Melksham

NWDC have deemed all sites unsuitable and have recommended to the executive that they are not consider any further. There is still a meeting at the Olympiad on 3 July where the exeutive will make their decision.

freedom · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:33 am Post subject:

Council fudged this. Said unsuitable under Local Plan, which is not finalised yet anyway. It'll all re-erupt anyway, because they have an obligation to provide housing for them now.

Surely it's cruel to ask travellers to live in a dive like Chippenham? They're not tied down like the rest of us.

rosco · Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 14