Travellers set up camp in Ilkley after broken barrier allows access to lido site

A height barrier installed by the council to prevent travellers accessing the site at Ilkley Lido and Swimming Pool was damaged last week when a vehicle collided with it.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) raised the matter with the council and was told staff had been unable to lock the barrier until it had been repaired and unfortunately travellers were quick to move in on May 11.

Cllr Hawkesworth said: "We really must act as soon as possible with such details as not doing so results in more expense of clearing and cleaning. Also the aggravation of residents."

Conservative councillors for Ilkley, Andrew Loy and Kyle Green have also called on Bradford Council to take proactive action to stop the travellers.

Cllr Green said having successfully worked hard to get a height barrier and preventative measures installed at the Lido he was particularly frustrated the damage was not quickly repaired, which "enabled the incursion to take place" and which he said "will now no doubt cost the council more than simply repairing the height barrier".

In addition, they said slow progress at installing preventative measures to stop incursions on West Holmes Field had left them frustrated after action was promised earlier this year in a meeting with residents and district councillors.

Travellers on the West Holmes field in Ilkley in 2021

Cllr Loy said: "Residents are rightly frustrated that they are once again being subjected to littering, aggressive behaviour, and noise disturbances. I have stressed to council officers the urgency of the eviction process and the need to invest in and maintain permanent solutions to prevent future incursions."

Cllr Green added: "Having successfully worked to get barriers installed at the Lido to prevent this kind of incident it is vital that Bradford Council ensures it is proactive in maintaining these measures to maintain their effectiveness. I am also hugely frustrated that the much needed fencing for West Holmes Field has not been installed because the council failed to apply in time for the correct funding pot and this has pushed back installing the fencing."

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the group of travellers at the Lido and have started the court process to regain possession of the site. Once the site has been vacated we will arrange for the land to be cleaned up.”