Mountains of rubbish are polluting a beauty spot in West Swindon a week after the council told residents they were cleaning it up. Shaw Forest Park was formerly a landfill site but it is now a woodland where dogwalkers and families go to enjoy fresh air and wildlife spotting, particularly during the summer holidays. Last week the Adver reported that many residents had complained about the "grim" rubbish dumped in the grass, including soiled nappies, household waste, faeces and used condoms, which they believe was left by travellers.
Witnesses saw travellers set up camp at the park on Thursday, July 25 when approximately 10 caravans and associated vehicles were parked around the grounds. The lock on the main gate had been cut off and the security bar was removed to allow entry to the space and they left a week later on Thursday, August 1. Swindon Borough Council confirmed it was aware of the mess and were organising cleaning it up.
But over the weekend, many residents took to social media to complain about “multiple piles of rubbish" they say has been there for three weeks. One resident said: “The police surely know who caused the mess. Send them back to clean it up.
” Another comment read: “I’ve only ever been to that park twice in recent years and both occasions there’s been fly-tipping we’ve spotted.” One commenter added: “I wonder if the council could provide waste disposal services when travellers move on to local green spaces. If they are not provided, w.