Worries have been expressed over travelling people setting up an illegal camp next to a dangerous dilapidated building in Dundee.
The Travellers are understood to have moved on to Scottish Water’s Maryfield site off Stobsmuir Road some time on Thursday.
Questions are being asked about how they managed to drive their vehicles on to the land as the gate guarding the property had previously been locked.
Of greater concern is their closeness to the old Maryfield tram depot and the site’s reservoir, which provides 80% of Dundee’s water. Jimmy McDonell, 61, chairman of the Dundee Museum of Transport, which wants to turn the former tram garage into a heritage centre celebrating the city’s transport history, said: “I think there is a serious risk to public safety.
“I am asking how they were able to get on to the site as the gate off Stobsmuir Road was locked the day before. I know because I saw it when I drove past.
“The bigger issue is that their caravans are squeezed into a narrow space, with the tram depot building on one side and the reservoir on the other.
“The building is in a poor state, especially its roof, which has been shored up and is in danger of collapsing.
“It looks like the Travellers have children and what if they start treating their new surroundings like an adventure playground and go exploring?
“They are also close to deep water and Travellers in the past have left a mess after they’ve set off for a new place. They could be risking the health and safety of themselves and of the people of Dundee.”
On Saturday there were two caravans with vehicles on the site but Mr McDonell said he has seen a third. The Travellers have brought signs of their presence, including children’s toys, equipment and lines of washing.
Mr McDonell, who next month hopes to know the outcome of his organisation’s bid to take over the tram depot, has reported the Travellers to the police and Scottish Water.
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed the matter has been reported to them and said it is now for the property owners to start legal proceedings to remove the Travellers.