Watch: Tonnes of rubbish left after traveller eviction

The clean-up at Black Patch Park in Smethwick has begun after a group of travellers were evicted earlier this week.

Tonnes of rubbish including more than 300 tyres, rubble, black bags, furniture, beds and double glazed windows were left behind after the group were evicted by bailiffs on Monday (13 February).

Sandwell Council bosses say the bill will run into thousands of pounds – with rubbish costing £110 a tonne to dispose of, plus the cost of cleaning the area, equipment and staff.

The council has used new powers to remove travellers from four pieces of council land in the past seven days. Groups were evicted from Haden Hill Leisure Centre, a public car park in Oldbury and Blakeley Wood Road in Tipton.

Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Steve Eling said:

Councillor Richard Marshall, cabinet member for leisure, added:

An unauthorised encampment that set up on an industrial estate at Black Lake, West Bromwich, yesterday was evicted this morning (Thursday).

Car parks, parks and other council-owned sites around Sandwell will remain secured in an attempt to prevent further trespass.