£10 Million to Improve Traveller Sites Across England

By Courtney Ellis

The government have announced that new traveller sites will be created through a £10 million fund. The funding aims to improve the relationship between traveller and settled communities by providing more authorised places to stay. 

By having more authorised settlements, the community will have easier access to healthcare, education, and employment. Councils can also bid for funding to create new permanent sites and use it to refurbish existing sites. Last December, Coventry city council put in a bid to create a new permanent site. 

In a statement Communities Minister, Kemi Badenoch, said: “It’s vital that everyone has access to the kind of services that offer the best support. So, these new and improved sites will give travellers easier routes to healthcare, education, and employment.” 

By building more sites, the Government aims to reduce the number of unauthorised encampments across England. They predict this could reduce police engagement with the community and would assist councils and local police in redirecting travellers from unauthorised encampments to authorised ones. 

In addition to this fund, councils can apply for a share of the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Fund 2021-2026 for permanent and transit sites, and bricks and mortar accommodation for travellers