Fresh approach needed

ABERDEEN councillors are on a hiding to nothing today, whatever they decide to do about the issue of travellers’ halting sites. Opinion is polarised on the travellers and the debate so sensitive that, perhaps, going back to the drawing board is the best idea.

Communities across the city have seen the mess bordering on vandalism that has been left behind by some groups of travellers. It leaves a visual impact for local residents and a financial one for the local authority which must clean up the mess.

Little wonder, then, that communities are reluctant to embrace temporary sites in their neighbourhoods.

But the council is committed to finding suitable sites and has worked with the traveller community over several years to identify areas acceptable to all sides. It would be unfair and unproductive to abandon that process altogether.

There has to be fresh dialogue between the travellers, councillors and community leaders.

There also has to be debate among traveller groups about their conduct at makeshift camps.

Any efforts to leave places as tidy as they found them would almost certainly be welcomed with more council and community co-operation.