Critics slam city's gypsy deterrents

TRANSPORT bosses have been criticised by the country's Equality and Human Rights Commission after taking a series of measures to prevent travelling people stopping at a city park and ride facility.

Edinburgh City Council said it would erect height restrictive "goal posts" at Straiton park and ride after travellers set up a temporary home at the site last year.

A council report notes that the park and ride site has been "periodically illegally occupied" since the autumn, a factor which has led to slower growth in use than at sites at Hermiston and Ingliston.

But the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) described the move as a "lose, lose" situation and said the problem had been "entirely avoidable."

Around 20 caravans and motor homes parked at Straiton on the southern outskirts of the Capital last October.

The council eventually sought a court order and the travellers were moved on.

Edinburgh has just one official site for gypsies and travellers, which is operated by the city council at North Cairntow, Duddingston, and has just 20 pitches.

The new report states: ""Since autumn 2009, sections of Straiton park and ride have been periodically illegally occupied by travelling people.

"The improper use of this site has attracted negative press coverage. Patronage levels might have been affected by users' experiences of the site at these times."

But a spokesman for the EHRC criticised the council for not doing enough to provide for travellers. She said: "This situation was and still is avoidable. We know that Scottish Gypsy Travellers can face stark discrimination and prejudice and we understand that there can be pockets of local opposition.

"However, until this cycle of illegal encampment and evictions is broken by councils providing accommodation that matches the needs of the Gypsy Traveller community, tensions which damage the fabric of our communities seem to be inevitable."

She added: "It's a lose, lose situation - the council pays lawyers to evict families, families with young children get moved on forcibly, and another community with inadequate provision will now have to deal with the problem."

A council spokesman said: "Straiton park and ride was not built as a temporary camp site, nor does it have the facilities to act as one."