What is Dartford Council doing?
We are currently investigating several areas, including site security, protection, and inter-agency liaison to minimise the instances and effect of illegal encampments. The council has already carried out works to protect a number of vulnerable Council owned sites, and will continue to protect others as they are identified. The Council has a cross party Travellers Working Group to review and consider Government proposals and identify effective and sustainable ways of dealing with illegal encampments. A long term solution may be to provide ‘Transit Sites’ where Gypsies/Travellers can be directed for a maximum period of stay. The location, content and management of such sites will need careful consideration to ensure there is minimal disruption to the settled community. The Government can provide grants for such sites.
