Fury as travellers take over B&Q car park – ‘what sort of country have we become?'
A convoy of 17 vehicles has reportedly moved into the car park, with children spotted using trolleys like scooters and snatching pallets.
Locals are furious after travellers set up camp in their local B&Q car park. The situation, which has seen caravans using parking bays, kids using trolleys like scooters and kennels set up outside the store, has left one resident questioning: "What sort of country have we become?"
The camp has been set up in a B&Q car park in Bury, Greater Manchester, with pictures showing a convoy of 17 vehicles. They reportedly moved in on Saturday (May 9) with more than half of the parking bays taken up. Meanwhile, bags filled with rubbish have already started to pile up next to the caravans while dogs have also been spotted running around without leads.
As reported by The Sun, one elderly resident, who wished to stay anonymous, said: "Why isn’t somebody coming here to shift them? What sort of country have we become? We should be able to shop in peace."
Rows of caravans have since occupied the bays and kids have been spotted using trolleys from the store like scooters. Children have also been seen climbing over bags of soil outside the shop while others were seen snatching a pallet.
David Hatton, 69, said the travellers are a "nuisance for shoppers" and insisted the children "should be in school". Meanwhile, 60-year-old Vicky Hughes said she wouldn't have a problem with the travellers "if they just cleaned up after themselves".
A Bury Council spokesperson said: "We have not been made aware of any concerns raised regarding the unauthorised encampment at the B&Q car park. As this site is privately owned land, responsibility for any enforcement action rests with the landowner and not the council.
"The council does not undertake enforcement action in relation to unauthorised encampments on private land. Where complaints are received, officers will notify the landowner and provide appropriate guidance regarding the legal processes available to them.
"We work with partners where appropriate to ensure any issues relating to public safety, waste or anti-social behaviour are monitored and addressed through the relevant agencies.”
The manager of the B&Q store refused to comment. Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment.
It comes after the rapid creation of an alleged illegal traveller site near Willows Green, in Essex, last Friday. The travellers reportedly transformed a four-acre field into a site with multiple caravans and fenced-off plots.
According to locals, about 30 lorries arrived under cover of darkness, delivering materials including hardcore, fencing, and septic tanks, with activity continuing intensively over the following days.
An anonymous resident said: “The scale and speed of the development was breathtaking. It felt like a military operation with no regard for wildlife, drainage, or environmental impact.”
Another local claimed the operation appeared highly coordinated. They suggested those behind the works used a drone to monitor activity in the area.
