The first caravans have arrived at a new temporary site for travellers, at Winchelsea Road.

The site has been set up by East Sussex County Council as an emergency measure while a site on the A27, near Lewes, is closed for maintenance.

There are some concerns the site will become a permanent fixture in Rye but the county council have been quick to stress that it is a temporary arrangement only.

Travellers were in the spotlight recently when caravans parked on the town 's main recreation area and were there for nearly a month before finally being evicted.

A joint statement, issued by East Sussex and Rother District Councils, said: "An Emergency Stopping Place is a place identified as a short term stopping place for gypsies and travellers.

"It is a facility that enables the police to use their powers under Section 62a of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, to move travellers from a high profile or dangerous public location that cannot be tolerated due to its unsuitability.

"English/Romany Gypsies and Irish travellers are recognised ethnic minorities under the Race Relations Amendment Act.
"They have a culture of roaming and generally live in modern caravans or mobile homes.

"The majority of us have houses to go back to but travellers' vehicles are their only homes. "Some gypsies and travellers are highly mobile and only stay in the county for a few weeks – others have been resident in the county all their lives and come from families who have lived here for many generations.

"Nationally there is a shortage of site provision for Gypsies and Travellers and this can create problems for Travellers who have no permanent location for their caravan.

"Local Authorities are working to establish the provision of accommodation that will address local seasonal need and local travelling patterns, within the terms of central government legislation, policy and guidelines.

"At present, however there is a shortage of provision and this is exacerbated this year by the current closure of the Transit Site at Southerham near Lewes for rebuilding. It will not re-open until April 2009.

Short term should mean no longer than four weeks. During this time the East Sussex County Council Traveller Team would be working with the travellers to identify the particular issues that have given rise to the original encampment and help them to move on to a more suitable location.

The maximum period that travellers could stay at a specific emergency stopping place is 28 days, after which time eviction proceedings would be taken if necessary.

"The facilities are likely to be minimal, but the local authority will ensure there is a water supply, that chemical toilets are provided and that rubbish is collected regularly.

"East Sussex County Council Traveller Team will maintain regular contact with the travellers to ensure the location and its local neighbours are treated with respect and to encourage the travellers to move on to more suitable and long term provision.

The land, at Rye, is in the ownership of the County Council and has been declared surplus to requirements by the Transport and Environment Department but will be needed in future as part of a possible road widening scheme. Consequently, it is unused at the present time, but is likely to be needed in the long term. Therefore there are no plans to make this a permanent site and it will only be used for emergencies."

Rye county councillor Keith Glazier said: "This is a transient site for travellers who are moving around the country and will be used for this season only."

Rye Mayor Sam Souster said: "Our concern has been where people have to come from to manage the site.

"perhaps it would have been better if we had been informed about this earlier."