by Gary Porter and Carmella De Lucia
A convoy of travellers who have set up camp on a cycle path near the Chester border have sparked outcry from residents in the area.
More than half-a-dozen caravans are currently parked up on the path, which is just on the Welsh side of the border between Sealand and Saughall.
The travellers are alleged to have forced open a gate to gain entry and been seen chopping down small trees, causing angry locals to take to Twitter to express their fury.
One wrote: "This is absolutely disgusting. What the hell is going on. Can't someone shift them?" Another said: "I have to cycle up there at 5am, I fear for my safety."
North Wales Police and Flintshire Council are both aware of their presence and officers from Deeside were at the scene yesterday when the convoy arrived, and this morning.
An officer on the scene said the owners of the cycleway, a charity called Sustrans North West, had said they would give the convoy until Sunday evening to move before calling the bailiffs in.
But they confirmed this morning that they have already begun the legal process of removing the travellers.
In a statement on their website, the charity said: “On Friday we were alerted to a large number of caravans entering and blocking the Chester path at Sealand.
“They are on our land without our consent. We are working with the North Wales Police and Flintshire County Council and hope the caravans will leave the path as soon as possible.”
They then tweeted this morning: “Apologies – unauthorised caravans this w/e on the Chester Cycleway at Deeside. Action underway by @sustrans. Avoid or take care as you pass.”
