Community Legal Advice (CLA) have decided not to renew the Telephone Advice Line for Gypsies and Travellers which is run by Community Law Partnership (CLP). CLP were part of the original pilot project for advice lines in April 2002. CLP have had the longest running national telephone helpline. CLA claim that their Housing Providers will be able to provide the necessary advice to Gypsies and Travellers even though CLP have pointed out that the law relating to Gypsies and Travellers is of a very specialist nature (e.g. planning law as it relates to Gypsy/Traveller sites).
Remembering the famous phrase “don’t agonise, organise”, CLP have set up their own Telephone Advice Line for Gypsies and Travellers throughout England and Wales on 0121 685 8677. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and there is an emergency service available outside of those hours. CLP provides advice, assistance and representation on ‘accommodation issues’ for Gypsies and Travellers e.g. evictions, issues on rented sites, homelessness cases, High Court planning appeals, planning injunctions etc.
