I understand that the proposed encampment for travellers at Swaythling would be on the site of a previous rubbish tip, creating the possibility of financial compensation claims in respect of injury to health from sundry noxious gases and asbestos residues.

The fact that the travellers would move on after three months is irrelevant as they would apparently be replaced automatically by others, any possible misdemeanors having been unresolved, due to the absence of now untraceable culprits.

What will happen to the remainder of the family groups who cannot gain admittance to the site? Will they remain parked conveniently in the near vicinity?

The council consoles us with the fact that the proposed site is scheduled to be supervised - 24 hours a day? Are they, therefore, prepared to employ several wardens permanently for this ongoing task?

Our fears are not so much what happens on the site but outside it, including intimidation to adults and children who regularly use the wooded path beside the river.

Apart from the potential aggravation and nuisance of drifting bonfire smoke from the woods (when burning-off cable, etc), barking dogs and obvious noise from car engines, generators and hammering (metal on metal), the thought of the ensuing chaos which would result from slow-moving vehicles and trailers attempting to infiltrate the lanes of speeding (and usually heavy) traffic in Stoneham Way, fills me with horror!

Inevitably, thick mud deposited on the road surface in wet weather would also pose a further unacceptable peril to drivers.

Must we await the death of a traveller's child as they wander innocently near the footpath, to explore the delights of the adjacent, unfenced, railway line to Waterloo or, in an even more horrifying scenario chooses to cross it with a bicycle, old pram or hand-cart?

Children cannot be imprisoned indefinitely! A train derailment caused by carelessly-left debris on the track, would result in such massive loss of life anmd the encampment would surely be a risk to even contemplate.

I urge the council to give serious consideration to the above points before proceeding further with this highly dangerous, reckless and ill-advised proposal.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED