THURROCK Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill says the authority's hands are tied by legislation and it cannot act to directly move on a group of Travellers who have made their home by a local roadside for more than three years.

Residents in Tilbury have called on the council to move on a family who have ben encamped by the side of Fort Road on the outskirts of the town. The encampment has been described as a blight on the landscape by residents who are angered that nothing has been done about it.

Cllr Gledhill said: "These Travellers are on private land, not land owned by the council. Over three years ago the council made clear to the land owners that they were responsible for any eviction action as the council will not use taxpayers' money on eviction proceedings for those squatting on land we are not responsible for.

"However, following other successful action across the borough since then, I have asked officers to see what can be done should there be a breach of activity or use that falls into the remit of the council."

That may be a reference to recent action by the council who visited homes on the largely illegal Buckles Lane site in South Ockendon and quizzed mobile home owners about whether they were paying council tax.

At the time Cllr Gledhill said: "Make no doubt about it, the council will visit properties, knock on doors and ask questions, not just today but until the issue of the unregistered properties are fully dealt with. It is grossly unfair on the residents who pay for the services they receive from the council, Police and Fire Service to allow properties at Buckles Lane and other locations across the borough to think they can receive those services for free."

Tilbury ward councillor John Allen, who has been a strong advocate for the council taking more action against the site at Fort Lane, saying he has spoken to the landowners who cannot afford to take the requisite legal action.

He said: "The council need to be seen to be supporting people whose land is illegally occupied, it is not reasonable to expect them to do it all on their own. I agree taxpayers' money needs to be protected and well-managed but there is a point where action takes precedence. It is important that the council is strong in situations such as this otherwise what is to stop another bunch of caravans pitching up next door?

"I am pleased Cllr Gledhill appears to be saying there may be something the council can do, I hope that's not just a pre-election promise and once the ballot is over they will drop interest in this again. Rest assured, I think it is my role as a Tilbury councillor to keep the pressure up."