Alternative

It could scarcely be more obvious that more travellers campsites are needed in North Somerset, as elsewhere in the country. When there is nowhere to stop legally, travellers have no alternative but to camp illegally.It is not a criminal waste of council tax to move people on, when there is nowhere to move to.For many years I lived 100 yards from an established gypsy camp. In spite of initial prejudice and fear, the gypsies had proved themselves the best of neighbours, fully accepted, trusted and liked.They had been lucky enough to buy their piece of land and settle on it before the war. Today, travellers who buy land to solve their plight are likely to be thwarted by planning and find themselves still in the position of being 'never legal unless you are on the road and moving', no matter if you are sick, giving birth or dying.Councils do have great difficulty in finding sites. There is such fear to overcome. Then, a site needs to be thoughtfully laid out, screened with greenery and provided with basic amenities and a warden.I should think that the gypsy council would have invaluable knowledge and advice to give.The provision of travellers' camp sites is surely a most worthwhile undertaking if the result is security for travellers and a happy council pocketing the rents instead of repeatedly paying out for eviction and cleaning up,Mary Dunkley, Silver Street, Nailsea