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SENIOR Bournemouth councillors have pledged to tackle the delays which mean travellers cannot be evicted for more than a week.

Legally, there is nothing to stop them being moved on within hours. But the logistics of getting a court order, bailiffs, police and parks officers on site at the right time mean it usually takes between seven and 10 days in the borough.

The issue has been highlighted by an illegal encampment on Bournemouth's East Cliff which enjoys a panoramic view of the air festival.

Travellers are parked on land designated for disabled parking at the festival but a lack of resources mean bailiffs and police have warned they will not be able to move them on until the event is over.

A spokesman for Bournemouth council confirmed there are usually delays in securing a court date for an eviction order and that the major hold-up happens when waiting for a bailiff to exercise the order.

Former mayor and East Cliff councillor Michael Filer said: "This needs action from the very top and I would urge the leader of the council, the chief executive and MPs to take really urgent action to show everyone we really mean business."

He called for arrangements to be made with local courts and bailiffs to give priority to such orders.

Cllr Peter Charon, cabinet member for housing and procurement, said yesterday that the council was doing everything it could to evict the travellers and that he still hoped they would leave before the air festival begins today (August 28).

7:00am Thursday 28th August 2008

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