Bradford Council was launching a legal bid today to remove travellers from one of the city's busiest parking areas.

Up to 25 caravans, housing several families, moved on to two car parks in George Street at the weekend.

Their presence is estimated to be costing the Council hundreds of pounds in lost parking fees.

So it is going to court today in an attempt to have them evicted.

A spokesman for the car parks section confirmed: "We are losing revenue because they are camping there illegally, but it is too early to say how much at this stage."

For the moment Councillor Latif Darr - chairman of the transportation, planning and design committee - has urged motorists to find alternative parking.

"Many people will not park near the travellers for fear of damage," he said.

Councillor Marilyn Beeley, chairman of the public health and protection sub-committee, said there was an effective policy in place for handling gipsy camps on Council-owned land.

"We have regained possession of our land through county court orders five times in the past six months and have offered guidance and assistance to numerous private landowners," she said.

The Council will apply for a court order, asking for immediate possession of the land but execution could take 14 days. The Council would then have the power to tow the caravans away.

A spokesman for the Council's Gipsy Liaison Unit said: "We are seeking a court order to repossess this land. All official traveller sites are currently full."

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