""Try this for unbiased reporting from this weeks local paper ("Dunoon Observer").

£250,000 UPGRADE AT TRAVELLERS SITE

SANDBANK'S Torlochan travellers' site will remain closed until next year - but is set to benefit from modernisation costing up to a quarter of a million pounds.

Although there were pitches occupied at the site around four weeks ago, last week the gates were seen to be padlocked, with a notice providing contact numbers should temporary access be required.
The site has been on the receiving end of unwelcome attention over the last few months, with one caravan being completely burnt out and extensive vandalism - the latter cited as a reason for closure by Argyll Community Housing Association chief executive Alastair MacGregor.
ACHA has managed the site - and two others in Argyll - since the transfer of housing stock from Argyll and Bute Council in 2006.
Site residents hit out at ACHA last year, claiming that the facility was in poor condition compared to other similar parks around Scotland.

They alleged that non-residents used the park as a dump, there was flooding and extensive disrepair in the kitchen/bathroom amenity huts on each pitch, and that it was overrun by rats.

In May 2008, following tenants' complaints, ACHA advised that it was taking forward a number of proposals for the improvement of the site.
Now, with its closure, it plans to start work on making improvements at Torlochan.

Mr MacGregor told the Standard: "The site was closed for three reasons; firstly, there has been extensive vandalism; secondly, there are no travellers currently wishing to use the site and thirdly, we plan to modernise the site shortly.
"The site is planned to be closed in order that the modernisation work can be carried out."

He advised that no residents on the site had been given notice to quit and that any personal effects left at Torlochan could be collected by arrangement with ACHA.
He continued: "Our plans are to modernise the pitches and provide improved facilities, following consultation with residents last year.
"The cost will be approximately £250,000; eight pitches will be upgraded and services such as electric and water supplies renewed.
"A grant has been awarded to ACHA by the Scottish government from their gypsy/traveller site grants which were announced last year at £2m for Scotland.
"The grant to ACHA should meet 75 per cent of the costs and ACHA will fund the rest."


The Torlochan closure comes as a study of travellers in Scotland shows that over 50 per cent claim to have been the victims of harassment or discrimination.

The survey, carried out by three local authorities in north-east Scotland, identified that a quarter of travellers had been physically assaulted, including some who had had stones thrown at them.

Others had been verbally abused or called names, while some provided examples of discrimination such as taxis refusing to pick up from travellers' sites.
The local authorities are working together on the accommodation needs of travellers over the coming months.

Argyll and Bute is unique in Scotland in that its three traveller sites are operated by a registered social landlord, ACHA, rather than the local council.
There are 32 sites in Scotland providing 499 individual pitches. In Argyll and Bute last year, 72 per cent of its 32 pitches were let, with 22 per cent available to tenants and six per cent unavailable to maintenance.

Travellers at such sites pay rent, council tax and utility costs and, like housing tenants, can be evicted for arrears.

Meanwhile, at the Torlochan site, five abandoned caravans remain - all damaged or vandalised, and each containing a quantity of personal effects.
A notice on the gate advises arrivals to contact ACHA or its telecare provider, Hanover, out of hours, should access be required.
Asked what provision ACHA was making for travellers who wished to come to the area, Mr MacGregor advised: "We will continue to provide pitches for gypsy/travellers at Duncholgan, Lochgilphead and Ledaig, Oban. Vacancies are available at both of these sites should pitches be required."

Torlochan is expected to reopen in April 2010.""

THAT is what I mean about evidence.

YOUR COMMENTS AKE?

Don T.