Residents across Birmingham are facing increasing disruption as unauthorised traveller encampments become a growing concern, bringing issues such as animal strays and human excrement to public spaces. The city has seen a significant rise in these encampments during 2025/26, impacting local communities and resulting in substantial clean-up expenses for Birmingham City Council.
The challenge has been exacerbated by the council’s limited number of fixed, permanent transit sites intended for the travelling community. Previously, plans for a ‘negotiated stopping’ pilot scheme aimed to allow short-term stays on unused land, but this initiative was eventually shelved. Instead, the council has committed to introducing enhanced security measures in parks frequently targeted by unauthorised camps.
Councillor Sam Forsyth expressed concern over the widespread nature of the problem, stating, “This is an increasing problem, and it’s affecting the whole of the city now; large parts of the south and north are regularly impacted.” She highlighted the burden placed on local residents, who often feel ill-equipped to manage the aftermath.
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“It’s a real shame but I know a lot of park groups are utterly fed up now of having to do the tidy up. They’re having to deal with human excrement, rotten food, sometimes stray animals. It shouldn’t fall on ordinary residents, albeit with litter bags. It’s not really their job to have to deal with that.”
Forsyth went on to criticise the insufficient number of transit pitches, describing the lack of adequate provision for a city as large as Birmingham as “quite frankly outrageous”. She emphasised that the shortage contributes directly to the increase in unauthorised encampments, a problem that would alarm many local people.
According to a recent council report, Birmingham currently operates only one fully developed transit site at Proctor Street, alongside another at Tameside Drive which is still in the process of formalising occupancy arrangements. Efforts continue to bring the latter site into full operation.
The report acknowledged difficulties in allocating new sites within the council’s Local Plan for the city’s development, and similarly, the ‘negotiated stopping’ pilot was abandoned due to the inability to identify sufficient suitable locations. The West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), expected to consult later in 2026, will assess regional needs and allocation of plots and pitches.
The council noted that the sharp rise in unauthorised incursions into parks has not only disrupted public enjoyment but also placed heavy financial and operational pressure on park services. Costs related to cleaning, repairs, and asset damage strain already limited budgets and harm public confidence in park facilities.
In response, the council’s parks service has secured capital investment planned over the next two years to improve security measures, reinforcing vulnerable park boundaries and enhancing resilience to deter future incursions. This strategic approach aims to reduce both the frequency and impact of these events citywide.
Additionally, the council revealed that its Gypsy and Traveller service is now managed by a dedicated team focused on improving engagement and fostering trust between communities.