"Jim Carroll wrote: "unless something is not done very quickly there will not be a Traveller on the road in ten years time."

Does that matter or is it that too just a romantic affectation?"

Yes it does matter if it their wish to remain on the road. The greater majority of Travellers I have worked with do wish to keep travelling but are forced into houses by prejudice (a fair amount of which has appeared on this thread). ignorance (see above) and the desire to get their children educated.
I have seen Travellers in houses who were unbelievably miserable, but saw themselves with no alternative.
It is not for us to tell them how they should live; it has to be their own decision, made without external pressure from peopele who simply don't understand their way of life .
Jim Carroll