PLANS to create a transit site for gipsies and travellers on Teesside have been put on hold after complaints from the public.

The authorities will now examine ways to evict gipsies and travellers from the Meggitts Lane area of Dormanstown, Redcar.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council will still open a site at Redcar early next year.

The authority is working on its strategy for gipsies and travellers. It had planned to create a transit site at Meggitts Lane where some travellers already stay periodically.

A councillor has said returning gipsies have failed to keep the area tidy after a recent clean-up. He also said the council has received strong opposition from the public and more than 30 organisations. The authority will continue to gather views through to December as part of an official consultation exercise.

Action has begun to move travellers from Meggitts Lane. Notices will be served in the next few days and the council will present a case to the court for eviction.

Councillor Chris Abbott, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhood renewal, said: "We have carefully considered the views about a transit site and have decided to rethink our ideas about that and put it on hold for now.

"This shows that we are listening to the views of the community, particularly the strong opposition to the Meggitts Lane option.

"The most important thing at present is that we have an effective strategy and this is what we want to receive feedback on.

"We will see how well we can manage with the one permanent site once it is up and running properly and then review the situation.

"New anti-social behaviour legislation allows the police to move trespassers out of the borough without the need for court action if there are alternative sites within the local the local area.

"Unfortunately, the returning travellers have not kept the area tidy and it is now time to take more formal action."