Terrified customers at a Fife business park have been threatened by stone-throwing Travellers, it has been claimed.
The entrance to Dunnikier Business Park, to the north of Kirkcaldy, was blocked by up to nine caravans last week and people trying to access companies were allegedly pelted with stones.
Although the Travellers have now moved on, they left a terrible mess in their wake and businessmen say they are at their wits’ end.
Backed by local MSP David Torrance, they held crunch talks with Fife Council officials in a bid to find a permanent solution.
This is the 12th time Travellers have pitched up on the site, behind Asda, but an offer by the affected businesses to pay for a gate and CCTV has been rejected by the local authority.
“The Travellers were there en masse again and nobody could get along the pavement or the road for kids with catapults firing stones at them,” Mr Torrance said. “How are these businesses supposed to survive if their customers can’t get through?”
Referring to the offer made by the businessmen, the MSP added: “The council has been to court three times to evict them, at a cost of £2,000 each time.
“This solution would save the council thousands, given the businessmen are willing to pay for it themselves.”
Terry Henderson, of Fastboard Restoration, told The Courier he is becoming increasingly frustrated by the situation.
“That’s 12 times in three years we’ve had this,” he said. “Apart from the effect it’s having on our customers, they’re leaving a mess behind them which must be costing the council hundreds of pounds to clean up each time.”
Stuart MacDonald, from neighbouring business MacDonald Motors, said he had been threatened by some of the Travellers.
“They were throwing stones at my customers’ cars and the customers didn’t want to come back,” he said.
“They don’t want to leave their cars outside in case they are damaged. The caravans have gone for now but no doubt they’ll be back.
“We need a proper solution to this.”
John Mills, head of housing with Fife Council, said: “Fife council officers are meeting with the businesses at Dunnikier Business Park to propose a potential solution.
“Dependent on the outcome, there may be a way forward to ensure that unauthorised encampments do not occupy this part of Mitchelston in the future.”