A large number of caravans remain in place in Knaresborough despite an eviction notice from Harrogate Borough Council giving them 24 hours to leave.
The group of people, thought to be from the Traveller community, pitched up in Hay-A-Park near the rugby club during the last week.
The council has said it is an “illegal encampment” and served the Travellers with a 24-hour notice to vacate yesterday afternoon.
However, the caravans remained on site this afternoon. The council said in a statement today “further action would be explored”.
Many locals think the caravans will move on to Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria this weekend.
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Sharon Calvert, from Knaresborough, called for a long-term solution to prevent the issue re-occurring. She said transit camps should be opened in the weeks around the horse fair.
Ms Calvert, the women’s and equality officer for Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said providing transit camps with the necessary facilities would stop conflict arising between Travellers and residents.
“This will keep happening each year so there needs to be something in place. Why can’t councils link up and put something in place for the Travellers? We should be looking for positive solutions.”
There are two official Gypsy and Traveller sites in the Harrogate district, at Bickerton and Thistle Hill, both owned and managed by North Yorkshire County Council.
A county council spokesman said:
“The responsibility for ensuring there is appropriate accommodation provision for gypsies and travellers lies with district councils within their housing function.”
