Traveller's

[tina]

They are starting to leave at this very moment  '>

[andyamp;kirsty]

At the end of the day if it was all legitamate then they would find places to stop which were not private land and that didin't cause as much unrest and waste so much public money. I don't even want to think about how much the clean up, police, PCSO, magistrates etc etc will cost us the tax payer, and how much tax do you think they declare?

the sad fact is that we want them gone, but i wouldn't wish them upon the next town!

I bet the coal merchant and ECD are really worried, with all of those flat bed lorries lurking around! It is hard not to tarr them with the same brush, but they have got that reputation over a long long time and they apear to be living up to it!

[Rachael]

I understand that people are free to live thier lives the way that they wish to, but its the work they do, and the rubbish they leave etc etc.  I know we should not tar them all with the same brush, but its hard not to.

I was told that the ticketing office, the lady there will not work in it, and I dont blame her personally.

I was told collecting my son from school  today that they have bombarded the somerfield petrol station toilets when wanting to wash.  I think anyway you look at it, their presence is intimdating .  I feel sorry for the staff in there.

I was also told that there was some trouble from them in one of the local pubs ( not the railway) and the windows were threatend to be smashed in because they would not serve them, I know its hearsay, but it still makes me feel uneasy '>

[Marplian]

I went to train station on Friday morning at 7:30am and there was only 3 caravans and I thought they were maybe workmen and didn't think much of it? Then at 6pm friday evening the car park was half full with smart caravans and brand new pick up trucks...
A small dog was blocking the exit to the car park, so a lady trying to get out the car park in her car beeped her horn, in which then a male came out of one of the caravans and moved the dog and then hurdled abuse, swearing and shouting at the lady.
Are they like this because maybe they think the world is against them, and they're on the defensive all the time...?

Noticed the young girl isn't working in the ticket office, probably National Rail have deemed it unsafe for her.

Think everybody has similiar opinions on this matter.
However I have spoken to one or two who don't agree and think that everybody has a choice in life and we shouldn't label them as bad people and all the same...
I haven't heard of anybody being offered driveways or tree cuttingsyet, but my mum adores her garden and can't help but worry about her plantpots and ornaments. Not to mention the clothes on the washing line...
somebody was attacked in broad daylight at weekend outside Texaco...hope this issue isn't linked because that justifies our concerns.

[Eric the Hamster]

The mess is inexcusable anywhere, but particularly as they are next to a Municpal waste site!

I know what you mean about the Christmas presents - I was thinking the same thing. I also feel for the people who live near the station.

I am still using Rose Hill, I can walk to it in 20 minutes, so not a great hardship. When I have been picked up in the evening, it was at the Railway car park (and I noticed others doing the same thing).

It is a good idea to keep a look out for the more vulnerable - I think someone mentioned already that some of the vans had "driveways" written on them? Does anyone know if there have been people offering to do driveways since they arrived? Not only does the work tend to be shoddy (e.g. just a layer of tarmac put over what is there, with no preparation), they charge over the odds for the work, and then you can't get hold of them afterwards. I didn't know about intimidatory tactics - those approached should contact the police.

 '>

[Rachael]

The car park is going to be a complete mess by the time they leave, already you can see litter strewn around.  These people just dont care!

I really really hope that they are not here over christmas, its a real worry, I wont be putting my presents under our tree untill the last minute '>

My friend lives in one of the houses over looking the station and car park, to say I feel sorry for the view every time she opens her front door is an understatement.

The transport police told me  a week ago that there was not going to be any more travellers arriving ( think  there was seven vans at the time) and now the car park is full of them.

I definately wont be using the station whilst they are there'


Keep an eye out for your elderly neighbours, these people have a horrible habit of preying on the vunerable people around us with shoddy workmanship that costs people a fortune, and often you read that people are intimidated into having work done that they just dont need because they are frightened.

'> '>

[Eric the Hamster]

An e-mail from Northern Rail today:

----------------------------------------------------------------


Thank you for your comments which were forwarded to us by Network Rail.

Senior management are aware of the situation at Rose Hill Marple station and are currently going through the legal process to remove the trespassers.
 
Hopefully, this situation can be resolved soon.


-----------------------------------------------------------------

[Marplian]

I get the train regularly from rose hill and this has concerned me. I have been to have a look at the situation with a relative this evening just to show how many there are! And there is alot of vans speeding in an out of the station car park. They have 0800 numbers on the side and 'driveways' written all over, so no doubt they will be crawling over the housing estates. Quite annoying for those who drive to the station to leave their cars for work and now have to use Marple Train Station.

[Eric the Hamster]

Kirstie, you are ahead of the game!

[Eric the Hamster]

Yes, the car park was full this morning at 7am.

Interesting that more should arrive after the service of a court order?

Network Rail have responded to me (by e-mail on 7th December):

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your message regarding Rose Hill station.

Network Rail own Rose Hill station and the car park. However, the car
park is leased to the station operator, Northern Rail who have
day-to-day responsibility for the upkeep and care of the station
environment. I have copied your email to Northern Rail so that they can
suitably action the matter of travellers parking in the station area.

I trust this is of some help.

Yours sincerely


Community Relations Advisor
Network Rail North West
Government & Corporate Affairs
Square One
4 Travis Street
Manchester
M1 2NY
Tel: 08457 11 41 41

-------------------------------------------------------------------


So I think the next thing is to pester Northern Rail!

[kirstie]

According to British Transport Police there are approx 35 vehicles in total now.  They have an officer lookin into it.  I spoke to Leanne on 0800 405040 who has agreed to phone me with updates so I'll post them on here if I get any.

Northern Rail Customer Relations (0845 000 0125) who lease the land from Network Rail advised me that a verbal notification has been issued, and their area manager is on the case.

Neither the police nor the rail company could give any indication as to how long it might take to move them on.  The situation has obviously escalated since last week to the extent that we cannot use the carpark atall.  

Watch this space, as they say.

[tina]

OMG  in the space of 2 hours the car park is now full of caravans!!!  '>  They have over taken the place.

[admin]

I'm told that a court order for them to move on was served at 1pm today.

[Eric the Hamster]

I've had holding replies from Cllrs Candler and Alexander (to be fair, as the Council do not own the land, there is a limit to what they can do).

No response from Network Rail.

[kirstie]

E-mail correspondence from Andrew Bispham:-

Kirstie,
 
The property belongs to Network Rail. It is their responsibility to reposes their property. The council have been in touch with network rail about the problem. Normally, it takes several days to get a court order to get them to move on.
 
Regards,
 
Andrew Bispham


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Kirstie ####### [mailto:#############]
Sent: Thu 06/12/2007 20:33
To: Cllr Martin Candler; Cllr Craig Wright; Cllr Andrew Bispham
Subject:


Dear Councillors,
 
Several caravans and vans have arrived at Rose Hill Marple train station in the last few days and don't look like moving on.  Is this something you're aware of, and are you able to advise please what the nature (and porposed length of stay) of the encampment is?
 
Sincerely
 
Kirstie ######
Marple Resident