Councillor pleads with locals not to give travellers any work after they set up an 'illegal' camp at a country park

Published: 18:13, 20 May 2026 | Updated: 18:13, 20 May 2026 A councillor has pleaded with locals in Birmingham not to give travellers any work after they set up an illegal camp at a park in the city just weeks after being ordered to leave. Caravans and other vehicles branded with business logos streamed into Shard End Country Park in the east of the city before last weekend.    Councillor Alan Feeney said he visited the encampment and found the park's gates open. He believes they could have been cut open and has been in contact with West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council about the latest incursion. The Reform councillor urged people not to give the group any work. He said: 'I'm aware that the travellers are back on Shard End Park. 'I have been out, taken a look and have found the metal gates are all open. 'Whether the padlocks have been cut, or the gates were open anyway, I don't know. I will be in touch with the council and police in any case. 'In the meantime, do not give them any work. I have already seen various business vans coming and going. Caravans and other vehicles branded with business logos streamed into Shard End Country Park in the east of the city before last weekend The latest camp comes just months after travellers set up another encampment (pictured) when they were blocked from entering Birmingham's Sheldon Country Park  'I can only assume the same mess will be left behind, so will speak to the council about stronger defences. 'In the long run it will certainly be cheaper than the clean-up operation.' The latest camp comes just months after travellers set up another encampment when they were blocked from entering Birmingham's Sheldon Country Park.    The green space has been the site of 'multiple incursions' over the years.  Councillor Colin Green said improving security in other grounds had 'just displaced activity elsewhere' - after measures were put in place to stop unlawful access at neighbouring Gilberstone Park. Mr Green said previously: 'Residents of Sheldon reported to us on Saturday that travellers had set up a camp on Sheldon Country Park. They gained entrance to the park at the Horseshoes Lane entrance. 'There have been several camps on Gilbertstone Recreation Area recently, and the parks managers have beefed up security to keep vehicles out. 'Improving security at one site just displaces activity elsewhere.' A spokesperson for the council said: 'Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it. 'The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community - which is in line with Government policy - and details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.