by LAURA BENJAMIN
In an attempt to dissuade travellers from coming to the borough, councillors are looking at ways to make Barnet's open spaces inaccessible to caravans.
A group of unlawful campers has descended on at least five places around Barnet in the past two months.
Councillor Allan Turner said: 'We are looking at the accessibility of our parks and open spaces ,, of which there are more than 200 ,, and seeing where we can install soft landscaping which would allow access to people but not to cars.'
It is not clear how much money can be spent on this project, as it will come out of a budget to provide for all council properties ,, and the needs of others also have to be looked into.
One traveller said: 'Doing this means there is still nowhere for us to go and we will just have to go back on the streets again. We would like a permanent site in Barnet as we are willing to pay rent, but that isn't available in the borough.'
A group of travellers who settled in Brook Farm Open Space, Whetstone, were evicted on Tuesday. They tried to enter Waterfall Walk in Osidge Lane but were moved on by police.
More than 150 caravans were evicted from a former police sports ground in Arkley in May.
Calls to establish a permanent site for the travellers in Barnet have proved unsuccessful. 'A normal site would only hold 12 caravans, so would not go very far in solving the problems we have at the moment.' said Mr Turner.
key facts
In the past six months, 295 travellers' caravans have descended on Barnet. Last year as a whole there were just 90
Council officers can only deliver an eviction injunction when travellers have set up home ,, which can take up to two weeks
All the borough's open spaces will now be assessed on their vulnerability to travellers. The most easily accessible ones will be dealt with first
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