Gypsies and Travellers are a recognised Ethnic Minority Group within the terms of the Race Relations Act 1976 (CRE v Dutton 1988).  They have a distinct cultural identity and a way of life, and their identity is not affected by the fact that many have been forced to adopt a static way of life with quite a high percentage living in houses.

THE CITY & COUNTY OF CARDIFF

There are 2 Local Authority residential sites for Gypsies and Travellers in Cardiff.  Shirenewton Site, which was re-developed in 1992/93, has 56 pitches and a Community Building.  Rover Way Site, with 21 pitches, is bordered by a sewage treatment works, an iron smelting factory, a major industrial lorry route, a tip and an estuary into the Bristol Channel.

Although living conditions on both sites are made difficult because of their isolation from community facilities and services, many of the resident families have lived there for over 20 years.

At any one time there can be a minimum of 30 ‘non-dependent’ family units on the sites, normally young married couples who are not licensees but are staying on a relative’s pitch.

There is no authorised transit site or any form of legal short-term stopping place in Cardiff or the surrounding area, nor are there any privately-owned sites.

A fluctuating number of families who stop on the roadside pass through the area each year.

It is estimated that approximately 50% of Gypsies and Travellers based permanently in Cardiff are now living in houses.  The reasons for this include lack of sites, the harshness of living on the roadside (especially now that so many traditional stopping places are no longer available) and the need to safeguard the health and well-being of their children.

Many housed Gypsies and Travellers still follow a traditional lifestyle and a number have their names on the waiting list for a pitch on a site.

For more info contact;

CARDIFF GYPSY AND TRAVELLER PROJECT
Founded 1981

114, Clifton Street
Roath, Cardiff, CF24  1LW
029 2021 4411

Charity Reg. No. 1020635
Company Reg. No. 02808978