KIRKLEES Council is taking action to remove two groups of travellers from sites in Dewsbury.

There is currently an encampment at Bywell Playing Fields off Leeds Road while another group of travellers has just arrived at Cliffe Street car park.

Clr Shabir Pandor, Cabinet member for Resources, said: “As always we are taking these issues very seriously and we have wasted no time in starting the appropriate legal procedures.

“In the case of Bywell Playing Fields we have already applied for a court hearing to secure a possession order for the land and to move the travellers as quickly as possible. This is likely to be heard early next week.

“The travellers at Cliffe Street only occupied the land on Tuesday evening but I ensured that council officers responded straight away and began the legal process the following morning.

“I am determined that disruption to local residents, as well as people who use the sites involved, will be kept to the minimum we can achieve. Any clean-up operations will also happen as soon as possible.’’