‘Nightmare’ over as caravan goes (From Oxford Mail)

‘Nightmare’ over as caravan goes

10:30am Monday 13th February 2012 in News By Rhianne Pope

Sgt Rob Axe

NEIGHBOURS say they are relieved occupants of a caravan have moved on voluntarily after complaints of noise and nuisance.

Problems were caused when a family parked their caravan in Samphire Road shortly before Christmas.

Nearby residents complained of noise, littering and anti-social behaviour.

But as attempts to tackle the complaints continued, the caravan and its occupant smoved on of their own accord.

Neighbours’ concerns had been raised at a recent parish council meeting, where county councillor Val Smith spoke of her anger at not being able to move the family.

Last night she said: “I have felt so frustrated at the time it has taken to try to get this caravan removed.

“The whole process has been long-winded.

“It’s been a nightmare for residents. Christmas Day was ruined for people on the street.

“There’s been noise, health and safety issues with gas bottles on the road and cables going back and forth from houses.

“It has caused a lot of distress.”

Sgt Rob Axe, from Blackbird Leys neighbourhood police team, along with other officers, went round to the caravan on numerous occasions.

He said: “There was a caravan parked on the street and they did upset neighbours. But thankfully it went on Monday.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “County officers attempted to contact the occupants of the caravan in Samphire Road via site visits on a number of occasions, but without success.”

Before finding out the caravan had moved, he said staff had been determining what their next move should be.

Blackbird Leys parish council chairman Gordon Roper said: “There unbelievable problems over Christmas.”

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It was people at the closed end of the street getting the hassle who wanted to park their cars down there.” Another one added: “It was great news that it had been removed.”