At Wednesday morning’s negotiations between police forces from Mons-Quevy and travellers who have been stationed in Mons at a future economic development zone facing Grands Prés since Tuesday, an agreement was finally reached. Caravans will leave by August 2nd in the afternoon instead of August 23rd as the travellers themselves had initially announced. The travellers were residing illegally in Mons on the site of the future “Geothermia” development zone facing Grands Prés in Jemappes (Mons).
“Some 200 caravans arrived with no warning on Tuesday and settled illegally in Mons,” pointed out Elio Di Rupo, Mons alderman. “Immediate expulsion was an option but would have required deployment of considerable forces and we felt it was important avoid such a drastic, distressing solution. Negotiations allowed us to agree that the travellers will need to leave by August 2nd in the afternoon at the latest, instead of August 23rd as announced previously. Mons police will continue to liaise with the travellers. Water and electricity will be provided for the community,” added Elio Di Rupo, explaining that Mons authorities strives to avoid conflict with travellers present within its jurisdiction.
(Source: Belga)
