Stourbridge MP, Margot James, has confirmed that action is being taken to remove travellers from Withymoor Village.

Between 20 and 30 caravans parked up on the site, near to Sainsbury's branch on Sandringham Way, last Wednesday. Ms James said:
 
"Work to remove the travellers has been ongoing since they arrived last week and this matter is now progressing through the courts. I am hopeful that the local authority can take possession of the site this week.

"I have complete sympathy with the residents of Withymoor, who have experienced this problem far too often in recent years.”
 
The illegal encampment comes as planning approval to establish a “transit” travellers site within Dudley Borough is being considered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. When operational, the site would allow Police to direct encampments to the transit site within two hours or, compel travellers to leave the borough altogether. Margot added:
 
“A transit site is the only effective way to stop travellers from occupying our parks and open spaces for days or weeks at a time. Other boroughs that have these sites have hardly seen any travellers this year, even at the transit sites themselves.

"I am working hard to support the Council in setting up such a site and will be discussing this with my colleagues in Parliament.”
 
Local Councillor Paul Bradley has also spoken of his desire to see a transit site introduced in Dudley. He said:
 
“We need an active transit site in the borough to help authorities deliver the decisive evictions that local residents rightly expect and deserve in these circumstances.”