Protesters at Crawberry Hill Protection Camp in Walkington could be faced with hefty cleanup bill from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, unless they dismantle their site.
The council has put in a formal request for them to remove all caravans, tents and wooden structures adding they may intervene with more direct action if their request is not adhered to.
Fears from a number of local groups, including the police, parish council and residents regarding the dangers the camp presents to motorists are thought to be behind the move by the council.
The Director of environment and neighbourhood services at the council Nigel Leighton said;
“We have met with the protesters and advised them that, whilst we do not seek to obstruct or deny their democratic right to protest, we are concerned about safety issues of the encampment with regards to visibility and their proximity to a busy highway contributing to safety concerns for highways users.”
“Following concerns raised by the police, local residents, landowners and the parish council, we have requested the protesters to remove all the caravans, tents and wooden structures as soon as possible.”
“However, we have also offered to provide an area of highway verge upon which they may carry on their protest, in person only, and without any structures being erected.”
“We have requested confirmation that the existing structures will be removed from the highway verges i.e. fencing, timber buildings, caravans and tents. If they are not removed, the council may itself remove the structures at a future time and recover the cost of so doing from the protesters.”
Anti Fracking campaigners at the site say they have no intention of taking their camp.
One protester told HU17.net;
“We most certainly will not be taking down the camp. It is not what the people want, the camp has become a focal point locally for those who are against fracking. “
“We will have support from local people and from all communities in the East Riding if they decide to turn up.”
Protesters at Crawberry Hill have until midnight at which point the council will have the legal power to enforce their wish and remove the campsite.
