Locals have criticised Wiltshire Council’s effort to prevent travellers from returning to a park.
Residents watched delightfully as several concrete blocks were installed around Levi’s Park, Chippenham, on Thursday (30 June) in a bid to stop unauthorised encampments.
But on inspection, they realised that the barriers wouldn’t prevent a future incursion – because there are gaps big enough to fit a caravan through.
“It’s really pointless because you can still fit vehicles and caravans through the gaps between the [concrete] slabs”, one annoyed local told Wiltshire 999s.
They added: “Why would the council spend probably thousands of pounds on all this concrete and then leave huge gaps? It’s typical of the council, they’ve done it with no real thought.
“Surely they would have worked out the size of a caravan and measured between each block? But no, there’s at least one gap that would fit a caravan through and if they trimmed the true branches back a bit, they’d fit one through the middle of the trees too.”
Another local, who was walking their dog through the park at the time, said: “I think it was a good idea at first before I saw the size of the spacing between the things.”
“Another waste of taxpayer money”, she added.
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene, said, “Wiltshire Council officers have installed concrete blocks at Levi’s Park, Chippenham.
“The blocks are in place to restrict access for any towing vehicles, but have been kept at a distance to still allow access for maintenance – for example grass cutters.
“Residents have been kept informed of our actions throughout the installation.”
