BASILDON Council’s chief is determined to put more pressure on the Government after seven illegal traveller camps were set-up in the borough within a week.

Gavin Callaghan, chairman of Basildon Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, has written to Housing Minister Dominic Raab demanding the Government follows through on promises to help councils better tackle illegal encampments.

He wants to be able to use stronger sanctions against illegal travellers, but did not go into detail about what these would be.

He said: “Whilst we are using all existing legal measures at our disposal, it was established that such powers are woefully inadequate and local authorities need more effective sanctions.”

Phil Turner, the Conservative opposition leader, has said the issue will not be solved by writing a letter, insisting action should be taken now. He said: “Gavin Callaghan needs to stop making these statesman-like speeches and actually do something. He is doing absolutely nothing. I want the law changed more than anybody.

“What the Conservatives in Basildon are doing is having our MPs lobbying, we have the ear of Sajid Javid and using our contacts to push ahead with Basildon’s plight.

“Gavin Callaghan is great on grandiose statements, but it’s political posturing.”

Basildon Council, Essex Police and Essex Countywide Traveller Unit repeatedly had to take action last weekend after travellers pitched up.

Travellers were moved on from the corner of Christopher Martin Road and Honywood Road on Friday night before settling on Westmayne.

They damaged the grass, leaving litter and a large gas cylinder behind, before moving to the car park at Tesco, in Mandeville Way, Laindon.

In Mr Callaghan’s letter, he has asked the Government if it intends to fulfill its promise to review the way existing powers to tackle unlawful encampments and illegal developments are enforced.

The Government’s comment was made at a House of Commons debate on October 9.