TRAVELLERS at Horsdean in Brighton are likely to be evicted in three weeks' time.

Arrangements for the eviction are being made by Brighton and Hove Council, the police and the Under Sheriff, who controls bailiffs, to make the move during the week starting Monday, April 6. If bad weather makes the eviction awkward, it will be postponed, probably until the end of April. The council has authority to evict the travellers but has been waiting for a suitable moment. The announcement on the eviction date follows growing anger over the continuing presence of the travellers. Earlier this month, Barry McDowell, chairman of Patcham Residents' Support Group, described attempts to move them on as "a farce". He said fears had been expressed about the site more than 18 months ago, and protesters accused the council of letting residents down as the number of travellers grew to nearly 200. Areport to councillors says that if the number of caravans and vehicles at Horsdean drops to 20 before the eviction date, the council might not enforce the eviction. Twenty is the maximum number which the Environment Agency, which is worried about water pollution, will find acceptable at Horsdean. Council environment officer Chris Whitwell warned that the number would only drop to fewer than 20 with the full co-operation of the travellers, but he added: "There must be considerable doubt that the outcome could be achieved in time." Officers are asking for help from the travellers to identify families who will face hardship after eviction to see if anything can be done to help them. Long term, council officers still think that Horsdean would be the best permanent site for travellers in the Brighton area if the numbers could be limited to 20. But a derelict car park at Stanmer Park, north of the Lewes Road entrance, might be used for a small number of vehicles while a permanent site is found. Other sites being considered in order of preference are: land off Lynchet Close, Hollingdean; the BMX car park, Wilson Avenue; the contractors' compound off the Hangleton Link Road, Hove.

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