An eviction notice was served against Travellers who set up the latest illegal camp in Glenrothes.
A group of Travellers left Whitworth Road this week and left a considerable amount of rubbish, including a trashed caravan.
Travellers have now set up a camp on ground to the rear of the Michael Woods Sports Centre, prompting local children and dog walkers to avoid the area completely.
The Courier was contacted by a resident, who asked not to be named. He said he feels the rights of Travellers are given greater priority by the authorities than the rights of residents, whose taxes paid for sites to be cleared up.
He said: “A queue of Traveller vehicles arrived at the back of 6pm on Sunday. There were three at first, then eight. Apart from just being there, there are noise issues. They have generators going until two or three in the morning. Neighbours have also seen them spinning wheels.
“The police and council have been contacted but there’s a non-harassment policy. The rights of the Travellers are protected. But who is protecting the rights of citizens?
“My peace is being shattered. We are paying for the council’s official Traveller sites so why do we have to be subjected to noise pollution like this?”
The man said he thinks Fife councillors need to “listen more” to what communities are saying, rather than quoting guidance.
The Courier told this week how Fife Council has been forced to pay out more than £180,000 over the past five years to cover the cost of illegal Traveller camps.
Fife Council spent £61,880 cleaning up unauthorised Traveller sites in the five years up to the end of the 2014/15 financial year.
A further £118,912 was paid out by the council during the same period on legal bills to evict Travellers.
Fife Council told The Courier that an eviction notice was due to be served against the Travellers at the Michael Woods Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
This would give the Travellers 48-hours’ notice.
If needs be, it would be enforced on Tuesday.
Regarding the site at Whitworth Road, this land belonged to Scottish Enterprise. The council had been out to have a look and would assist with any clean-up if necessary.
Police Scotland said it has not received any criminal complaints about these latest Glenrothes incidents but is working with other agencies.
Photo by George McLuskie