Shaw Forest filled with piles of rubbish as travellers move on

A group of four caravans first pitched up to Shaw Forest on May 1, which had grown to ten by May 5 causing concern, but Swindon Borough Council and ward councillors offered reassurance that they were co-operating. 

Last week Councillor Keith Williams said: "The group have been civil when engaging with authorities and have been keeping their rubbish bagged," before adding that they intended to move on soon. 

Read: Council issues statement over traveller encampment at Shaw Forest Park

But now that the group have left, locals have been horrified to discover the aftermath of their stay, which has turned the popular dog walking spot into a hazardous tip. 

Pictures taken by Shaw resident David McManus show the true extent of what had been left behind. He posted them onto the West Swindon Community Facebook page and said "The aftermath at Shaw forest. Please be careful if your dogs are off leash. Hopefully the council will sort it soon."

The photos show several large piles of rubbish that seems to be maded up of a combination of household and garden waste. 

Some piles are full of massive bits of wood, piles of woodchipping, garden fencing, plants and bushes and others appear to consist of piping, plumbing material and boxes.

There are also several piles of general waste made up of bin bags, but some of them were open and rubbish has become strewn across the grass.

There is also a massive area of burnt land that seem to show the remains of some kind of a bonfire.

The reaction frrom members of the public has been strong with one person replying to David's post by saying "Ridiculous...how can you even justify leaving someone's area in that way." 

Another simply added: "Disgusting."

But the council says it will be dealing with the rubbish left behind. 

“The Travellers who had set up camp at Shaw Forest Park have now left and we will be visiting the site to make sure it has been left in a clean and tidy state," a spokesperson said. 

The area is managed by the council's ranger team and also the Shaw Resident's Assocation. It was originally Old Shaw Farm Landfill which has been slowly reforested over the years. 

It now boasts an array of habitats ranging from ash and willow woodlands to scrubland containing juniper and alder.