By James Johnson

Last updated at 12:02, Thursday, 13 December 2012

A derelict caravan is finally being removed from a Carlisle street after a four-month campaign by one of the residents.

The wrecked caravan in Borland Avenue

Borland Avenue resident Lance Yeomans, 51, was dismayed by a caravan that has been on the street for around eight months.

At first it was occupied, but in August became empty and since then has been destroyed and filled with rubbish.

The bottom chassis of the caravan remains but the rest has been smashed up and is filled with empty tool boxes, beer cans, damaged furniture and pieces of wood.

Mr Yeomans said: “The man moved away and it has been there ever since.

“It takes up a parking space, the rubbish flats around into my garden, and you see kids playing in it and dogs on it.

“It’s a health hazard.”

It is parked inches from the front of residents’ gardens at the end of a cul-de-sac.

The rubbish on the caravan is piled 6ft high and Mr Yeomans believes it could be dangerous.

He explained: “It’s a health hazard and a fire hazard. If it went on fire my car is gone and there are houses near.

“There are cars around it and it could damage your health.”

After discussions, housing association Riverside agreed to come and remove the vehicle today.

Tracey Edmondson, estate management team leader at Riverside, said: “We have effectively adopted it having carried out changes to parking bays.

“The caravan has been dismantled and is currently acting as a trailer piled with other residents’ rubbish.

“This and the rubbish will be removed on Thursday by Riverside at our expense.”

She added that a resident had been living in the caravan while it was parked on the street.

She explained: “We are addressing this issue by speaking to tenants and residents and working with them and the city council to resolve these issues.

“If anyone in one of our neighbourhoods is concerned about unauthorised parking on their estate we will be happy to look into their concerns if they contact us.”

First published at 11:31, Thursday, 13 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk