TRAVELLERS are using a skip paid for by the council to collect scrap for cash.
A small group has been illegally camped on a grass verge on Fish Dam Lane for the last month, and they have been asked to move on by the council.
Until they do, the council has paid for a skip to be put on the site which environment director Geoff Birkett last week said was cheaper than cleaning up after the travellers when they left.
The skip is intended to be used for rubbish, but the caravan dwellers have now placed a sign on the skip asking for scrap.
The sign says: “Scrap wanted - cookers, washers” and a phone number.
When the Chronicle called the number posing as a potential donor, one of them advised that any unwanted goods should be left in the skip.
A nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I’m not very happy about them being there and I’m not very happy about the council paying for their skip.
“We’ve to pay our own tax, but the council do these things. What can you do about it?”
Mr Birkett said: “Clearly this is not why the skip was issued, so we will be investigating the allegation.”
