Residents call for action over green space used by travellers and joyriders

Carrbottom Road Recreation Ground in Bankfoot has been used by travellers twice in the last six months.

A land possession order was used to move travellers on last month and in August, Great Horton FC, which plays home matches on the site, was forced to look for an alternative pitch for the same reason.

Now campaigners, led by Jennifer Rushton, have set up a petition calling for Bradford Council to put up a protective fence around the land, which it owns.

"Everybody is frustrated by this. It's a close community," said Ms Rushton.

"That is the only piece of green land in the community, for the children and for everyone. There are no parks near it.

"We hope barriers would stop travellers going on the field, as well as joyriding and other misuse of the fields. They are churning up the field.

"It is for our children and our community, not for a base camp for travellers.

"A child is going to get knocked over if we're not careful.

"It's a mess after the travellers have been there. What do we pay council tax for?"

Residents want the grassland to be fenced off with barricades to prevent vehicular access. The only access would be from a padlocked gate so Council parks staff could carry out maintenance.

They are also calling for a designated children's play area to be built.

The land is currently open on three sides and frustrated campaigners say it is often used by people joyriding.

Councillor Lynne Smith (Lab, Wibsey) said she backed the residents in principle.

She said: "I would always support what local people want, especially those who live around there.

"I think we need to meet with local residents as soon as possible after the elections. It's definitely up for discussion.

"I just have concerns that a protective barrier will achieve what people want it to achieve. People have found ways to get past the barriers before and then it creates another problem."

The online petition will run until Tuesday, June 30.