Several of Ross-on-Wye’s Town Councillors say they are doing their best to respond to public concerns about repeated visits from members of the Travelling community.

A large group of Travellers came to Ross-on-Wye last week, for approximately a 24-hour period, and they stayed in the Red Meadow car park. This is a site frequently used by members of the Travelling community during visits to Ross.

Many local people were outraged at the presence of the group. On local social media websites, such as the Ross-on-Wye Notice Board on Facebook, there was quite a stir; many residents were frustrated at the group’s presence, due to the behaviour exhibited by Travellers during previous occasions. However, others said that it was unfair to assume that all Travellers cause problems.

Councillors Hannah Lerego, Caroline Bennett and Julian Gren paid a visit to the Ross Gazette’s office on Friday, July 1st, to discuss the possibility of installing a barrier at the entrance to the Red Meadow car park, and the issues they have faced surrounding this.

They explained that they are working hard with many of their fellow Town Councillors, but they have encountered issues, as Ross Town Council are not the landowners of the Red Meadow car park.

Herefordshire County Council have the responsibility of the car park, and they receive the revenue that the car park brings from the parking tickets. They also must pay for welfare checks and notices to leave when groups of Travellers stay. After they leave, Herefordshire Council are faced with the bill for cleaning up.

Ross Town Council do own the public toilets in the car park, but not the car park itself. As a result, some of the Town Councillors feel as though it is unfair that they should foot the bill, for what they believe is Herefordshire Council’s financial responsibility.

However, Ross Town Councillor Hannah Lerego told the Ross Gazette that the visits from the Travellers is the issue in which she receives the most complaints about.

She added that she would like residents to be mindful that there are 18 Councillors who stand on Ross Town Council, and she said they all have the town at the forefront of their decisions, as they are residents Ross themselves.

Her fellow Councillor, Cllr Gren said that installing a barrier at the entrance to Red Meadow car park is the most logical and workable solution to the problem, and he is keen for it to be installed as quickly as possible.

Cllr Gren is the Chairman of the Finance Committee of Ross Town Council, and said he will work hard with Councillor Richard Mayo, who is both a Town Councillor and Herefordshire County Councillor, to put pressure on Herefordshire Council to contribute for the barrier.

Councillor Caroline Bennett added that she hopes the Town Council can make a decision about the barrier at their next full council meeting on Monday, July 11th.

She added: “There has been a lot of hate going around, and people need to be aware that this does diminish the argument. They need to remember these people (the Travellers) are human beings.”

Other members of Ross Town Council also support the installation of a barrier at the Red Meadow car park, but they were unable to make the meeting on Friday morning.

Cllr Daniel Lister is one of these Councillors. Afterwards, he told the Ross Gazette: “I say we are here to protect the assets in Ross, whether owned by Ross Town Council or Herefordshire Council, and we need to listen to our residents and what they want. They want a barrier in place and there is indeed a need for it.”

Cllr Lerego encourages all Ross residents who support the installation of a barrier to contact Herefordshire Council. She said: “I would urge residents to continue to complain to the landowners, Herefordshire County Council, by calling 01432 260000 if you have issues.”

One local resident has contacted the Ross Gazette, and said that he has plans to organise a petition, asking Herefordshire Council to pay for the barrier, as he feels it unfair that Ross-on-Wye Town Council should foot the bill, as they do not receive the revenue paid in parking fees, whereas Herefordshire Council do. The Gazette will keep you updated with any developments of this petition.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council told the Ross Gazette: “The lack of funding for a barrier has been discussed with Ross Town Council. However, the placement of a barrier requires many additional considerations such as emergency vehicle access, coach access, responsibility for operation of the barrier et cetera.”