Travellers' site fury
Henry Ainslie • Published 24 Nov 2011 09:30
SECTIONS of the Erskine community have reacted angrily to the suggestion that a designated traveller site should be built on the outskirts of the town.
As reported in the Gazette, Inchinnan-based councillor Iain Nicolson proposed a patch of waste ground off the A898 near the Erskine Bridge could be converted to accommodate travellers who cause problems in Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan every summer.
Cllr Nicolson believes by diverting the travellers away from houses and communities in the three settlements, the needs and rights of both could be satisfied.
However, his speculative proposals have sparked fury in the community, with residents, councillors and even politicians vehemently opposed to his plan.
Although recognising the merit in setting up a designated traveller site, Erskine councillor Sam Mullin believes the area suggested - which is currently owned by Transport Scotland - is inappropriate.
He said: "To suggest that site is appropriate is completely ridiculous, and I would have expected more from a [someone] as experienced as Cllr Nicolson. I expect the people of Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan to be completely opposed to it.
"If public money is to be spent on a designated site, then the council needs to work with other local authorities to find a position in a remote location, away from homes and businesses. That I would be prepared to debate on."
Erskine community council secretary Hugh Cameron takes an even stronger view, believing no public money at all should be "wasted" on travellers who choose to live outside society.
He added: "We are completely against any site in Erskine. They tried it in the past and it failed miserably. [Travellers] treat this place with no respect. And it's the majority that cause problems - not the minority. We vow to fight these proposals."
Cllr Nicolson has called on residents to put there views forward on the potential travellers' site. He can be contacted by email at cllr.iain.nicolson@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
This article appeared in The Gazette 26 Nov 11
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