Plans for a new approach to managing Traveller encampments in Birmingham have been hit by significant delays, with councillors criticising the "glacial" speed of progress. The city's pilot programme for "negotiated stopping" points, intended to reduce disruptive unauthorised camps, has missed multiple start dates and is not expected to begin imminently.
Pilot Programme Stalls Amid Site and Resource Issues
The scheme was originally scheduled to commence in June 2024, but failed to meet that deadline. A revised target to launch in October has also been missed, with no new definitive start date in sight. Council officers have attributed the hold-ups to ongoing difficulties in identifying suitable pieces of land and a lack of necessary resourcing to move the project forward.
The core objective of the 12-month trial is to provide designated, unused land for short-term use by the travelling community. The aim is to foster better relations and cut down on the unauthorised encampments in public parks, which frequently lead to community disruption and incur high clean-up costs for the local authority.
Frustration Mounts Over 'Festering Sore'
Local politicians have expressed deep frustration with the pace of the plans. Green Party councillor Julien Pritchard delivered a stinging critique, remarking that "even icebergs were melting faster" than the council was solving this long-standing issue. Other members have described the situation as a "festering sore" that has plagued the city for years.
The council currently operates two permanent transit sites, but neither is functioning effectively. One site has suffered from repeated vandalism and damage, while the other is occupied by long-term residents instead of the transient groups it was designed to serve, highlighting the urgent need for a workable alternative.
Next Steps: Site Selection and Community Consultation
Officials confirm that the process of reviewing and identifying appropriate land for the pilot is still ongoing. A finalised shortlist of potential negotiated stopping points must receive joint approval from the council's planning, housing, and property departments before any public announcement can be made.
Once potential sites are selected, the council is legally required to conduct formal consultations with nearby residents and local businesses. The authority has pledged to consider all community feedback in an effort to maintain community cohesion throughout the process.
The Labour-run administration maintains that work continues behind the scenes to advance the project. The "negotiated stopping" model is widely seen as a more flexible and sensitive approach, one that is generally favoured by Gypsy and Traveller communities themselves.
