PLANS to protect a Halesowen park from traveller invasions have been slammed as inadequate.

Dudley Council is proposing tree planting, fencing, benches and bollards to prevent a repeat of the problem after caravans moved onto Hurst Green Park in July.

But Halesowen North Tory councillor Karen Shakespeare fears young trees could easily be knocked down by vehicles and said the promise of securing the park by Christmas was not soon enough.

She said the council told her at the end of July an estimate for the costs of the work was being sought as a “matter of urgency”.

Cllr Shakespeare, who said youths also drive across the park on occasions, added: “I do not consider before Christmas, a matter of urgency.”

She and Halesowen North’s UKIP councillor Stuart Henley said they were “annoyed” that a council officer had met with only the Labour ward councillor, Hilary Bills, on site and had excluded them from the discussions about the proposals.

Cllr Shakespeare complained in and email to a council officer: “I understand that the three ward councillors are from different political parties which can obviously seem to be a problem for council officers.

“However, since being elected 15 years ago, I have always believed that once elected, party politics should take second place to working together in the interests of our residents.

“I also believe that this should be the case for council officers, which doesn’t appear to be the case here.”

Cllr Henley added: “The three of us are the ward councillors and should be invited and copied in to all that is going on in the area. We should work together for the future of the area and its residents and, yes, politics should be put to one side.”

But Cllr Bills said the meeting had been with her only in her capacity as cabinet member to examine how the improvements were to be funded.

When the plans are being drawn up I, along with my two ward colleagues, will have the opportunity to comment on the plans,” she added.

However, the council had earlier stated it “had come up with a fix” that would not only prevent travellers from entering the park but also be “sustainable, aesthetically acceptable and affordable.

“As a consequence, a combination of extra tree planting, fencing, benches and bollards will be installed. It is hoped that this solution will actually add to the amenity value of the site as well as preventing the problem.

“We are now purchasing equipment and would expect the scheme to be installed, probably in stages, before Christmas.”