A quick note to say that Kirsten, Glenn and I are pressing Reading Borough Council to protect Cintra Avenue as a top priority, following the third traveller incursion in the area so far this year. We are very frustrated by the lack of action from RBC.
I checked my old emails today and found that I originally raised this issue back in March 2007! Cost has been a real issue in terms of securing the green space, but as a number of local people have pointed out, the cost to the taxpayer of court orders and clean ups could well have been far higher than simply installing bollards or fencing.
We are aware that local residents are very worried about the situation and we are doing everything in our power to support them.
Kirsten and Glenn are meeting Parks officers again this week to press for funding to be allocated to secure the green space as a matter of urgency. They will report back from that meeting here.
We heared this morning that the Police plan to serve a Section 61 notice on the latest group today, with the hope of evicting them shortly. Following pressure from Kirsten, the Police have also agreed to increase high-visibility patrols in and around the area.
If you are concerned about this issue and want to help our campaign for urgent action please contact Reading Borough Council's Parks team. If you are concerned about crime or anti-social behaviour in the area please contact the Police on 0845 8 505 505.
Instead of Bollards, would it be possible to plant trees instead? A row of trees would have just the same effect as some bollards, and would look better in the long run.
Posted by: A visitor to the area | May 22, 2008 at 09:10 PM