Cash to refurbish traveller sites

Government money is being spent on sites to improve conditions

The government is giving £824,000 to build a new Gypsy and traveller site and £95,000 to improve living conditions in seven others.

A new site is to be provided at Gretton Brooke Road in Corby, Northamptonshire.

In Cambridgeshire's fenland, Newbridge Lane, Sandback, Seadyke and Turf Fen Bridge sites will be refurbished.

In Bedfordshire, work will be carried out on sites at Chiltern View and, in Norfolk, at Swaffham Splashes and at Saddlebow near King's Lynn.

The cash will come from central government and will be managed by local authorities in the region.

Corby Borough Council in Northamptonshire, Fenland District Council in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire County Council and Norfolk County Council have been awarded the grants.

Up to £56m is being made available through the Gypsy and traveller sites grant between 2006-8 to provide new and refurbished sites, and to tackle the problem of unauthorised camping.

Communities Minister Meg Munn said: "By improving the provision of authorised sites, we can tackle the problem of unauthorised camping and ensure everyone has a decent place to live.

"Providing more authorised sites reduces the cost to taxpayers of costly enforcement action and creates a sustainable solution for the whole community."