LDV pilot ugly useless dash? Fibreglass yourself a custom one. Practise on a wheel arch!

when I had my van I always wanted to make a custom dashboard for it

because it is ugly but also quite useless. The mould LDV chose to use was not to my taste at all.

I'm having to look into dashboard and fibreglass build because of my boat and there I found this video below.

I f you re feeling creative and have a bit of money to invest, there is a nice tutorial from a skilled David Guyton.

For a simpler and more in demand application I was also thinking of the LDV wheel arches.

It would be quite easy to reproduce them with fibreglass when it's time to replace them to get that MOT pass!

Much easier and cheaper than welding (unless you\ve got the gear and skills) but also fully weather proof! Plus you win on fuel consumption as you won't be carrying that rust around with you all the time.

I will try and post a video on how to replicate shapes with fibreglass but it's quite a simple process.

• Take your or a wheel arch off to replicate it (just need to get length, width and curve right).
• Make a mould from this.
• Fibreglass the shape from within that mould - adding lips and whatever extras needed for fittings
• Cut of the excess once all dried and hard

Done madone.

Starter motor click? on your van

That's a classic one on the LDV vans and on many a vehicle.

There's a CLICK sounds with a metallic springy tone to it sometimes (if you listen well)

and the engine won;t crank up.

Below is a video that someone took the time to do well to explain what's it's all about

so I thought I'll add it up on here to my little library of valuable videos on vehicle mechanics and engineering...

LDV pilot van diesel engine - Ignition system

Ratchets And Wrenches has another good video on ignition.

I've had to learn a lot about ignition for my boat that has a petrol engine

but I can't help thinking of the problem my van used to have.

I had replaced and checked fuses and relays over and over again.

Now I think I would check and clean or replace if necessary each and every ENDS of every cables in the ignition system of the van (including the ECU ones - although I had done some of this already)

but before this I would look into the ignition switch!

I don't have the van anymore anyway and to be honest I have enough work with this 1960's boat I own...

Congestion Zone in London - The FOI request that exposes the handy racket business

There are big signs with big red 'C' letters to let you know you are driving into the zone.
However visible sometimes when we drive our attention is taken away on our driving and we miss a big sign. This happens a lot when driving in big cities and even more to those who come rarely to such big city.
A number of people who are unsure whether they went inside the zone decide to pay the charge rather than face a fine. In other words some people pay the charge although they didn't drive in the zone.
There is no system in place for TFL (transport for london) to be able to tell whether a car has been driven inside the zone or not; except when issuing the fine.

The FOI request is a compelling read on the subject.


******

[Internet quote:]
"It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning."
Henry Ford.

A trip from UK to Mongolia in an ex Postie LDV Pilot van!

A good watch with this documentary about a trip from UK to Mongolia in an ex Postie LDV Pilot van! Enjoy! May it inspire you and make you laugh.

A procedure to help you fault find your gearbox & manual transmission problem(s)

Gearstick stiff? Gears Not engaging? Soft clutch pedal?

If your clutch pedal is down or soft it could be a lack of pressure in the hydraulic system (hydraulic system=fluid reservoir+slave cylinder+pipe+master cylinder ). 

But this would be guessing an guessing with mechanic repairs is waste of time, energy and money.

1/ check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir > If level is low there might be a leak

2/ check for leaks around all connections of the hydraulic system. Clean up everywhere and give it another chance to leak (time or a little ride?) so it becomes visible.

 If you find a leak there might be air in the system > This make the clutch hard to operate.

3/ Bleed the air from the system (it’s an easy task and this potential fault will be either fixed or ruled out).

For bleeding there are 2 ways : 

1/pumping the clutch pedal method

2/using a one-man-bleeding kit

(google these or I can send you links on how to do this)

If bleeding doesn’t sort the problem out, it can be due to either the slave cylinder (at gearbox bell housing level) or the master cylinder (fluid reservoir level) or both. Although these 2 are strong and don’t usual fail. Mechanics often replace both. (BUT for us LDVers it can prove difficult to find the right part - but not impossible). Check out http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk (they stock rover parts which is what we have on our pilots SD1rover gearbox LT77 or R380 - check the manuals on LDV files).

If you need replacing parts you will first need to identify your gearbox (a ref number is stamped on it and you can cross reference it with manuals)

This is the easiest bits to do. As in where you don’t need to take the gearbox down to replace parts inside (although this is not very hard to do but more work).

The next easy is to check and replace the selector shaft yoke (although this is hard to find new).

If the cylinders are ok, it can be the nylon bush in the selector shaft yoke (nylon wears off but you need replace the whole yoke as what Im holding on photo).

you might as well check the levels of AND replace the gearbox oil (with the correct one). I have a good link for a video on how to do this and which oil to use assuming your gearbox is a R380.

If none of these work out, It can also be  the clutch arm pivot, the fork, or even the clutch disc that need replacement.  All these are inside the gearbox.

That's a near enough diagram of your hydraulic system so you get an idea (I assume your Pilot is similar to mine from your photo).

*********

*********

note: I try the best I can to follow professional experienced mechanic guidance and advices but I'm NOT a qualified mechanic, this is what I figure out as I work on my vehicle using all available help around me, real people, written manuals, online videos etc)

Battery university

My van has a Blue Varta E11 74aH 680cca.

I just wanted to say it.

It has forced me to learn about electrics.
It's become a love/hate relationship.
I'm still the boss.
But... I had to shut up, be a good boy and learn so I don't become a 'part changer'.
Anyway these are two of the not so common bits I learned about car batteries.

12V batteries can have 'shorts' in themselves. Check out the video by mr-fix below.

"Check if your cars battery drain is caused by short circuit. Dirt, grease and moisture can create conductive layer that will slowly kill your cars battery, cause bad engine start or low voltage in the system.
Watch this tutorial and check your cars battery. It's quick and simple, you don't need to visit dealer or service. All you need for this test is a multimeter." written by mr-fix.

Full power accessories and short distance driving habits cause battery failures.
This article explains in detail what causes such battery failure that is not often talked of.
It is definitely a recommended reading to anyone who has been scratching their head for over 3 hours of poking around in the hope of reviving a no starter vehicle.

Battery University: "What causes car batteries to fail?"

Here is an excerpt:

"The battery remains a weak link and the breakdowns on 1.95 million vehicles six years or less are as follows:

• 52% battery
• 15% flat tire
• 8% engine
• 7% wheels
• 7% fuel injection
• 6% heating & cooling
• 6% fuel system

A breakdown due to the battery remains the number one cause.

* Source ADAC 2008 for the year 2007"

Another rainy day and a van not starting

It happened again.

Today (2 months later) after the van having sat under torrential rains for a couple of days, it refused to start and displayed the same symptoms: glowplugs get on but a clicliclic noise and no start + funny warning lights going on by itself for a while.

I was wrong. It never was the battery neg earth connection.

I swapped my glowplugs control and relay for a tested one so it is not the cause.

Ii looks more like it is due to a faulty relay (probably the warning lights one).

I am gonna do a thorough check of all relays and replace the bugger one.

For the time being I'll have to try to park on the other side of the vehicle because I believe when the road is bent and the van lean on the left, the rain water drips in and humidity accumulates, causing the relay to malfunction.

The van starts fine after a while (me doing long parasitic test, checking and wiping the relays and looking for the fault every possible where), hence that relay must be drying and when it's dry, everything is fine.

The video below is (imho) the best and most complete one on the topic on the tube.

Thanks to Ratchets and wrenches.

[UPDATE]
It seems I have found the culprit.

I forgot that it's good practice to do as much diagnosing from the cabin.
I should have started there, with all doors shut.
I noticed that the driver's side indicator flashlight was flashing faster than the passenger's side.

The sound was similar to the one I heard from the relay.
I remember that touching the light bulb fitting once made something react when I was trying to figure out what was going wrong from the bonnet side.
So it clicked. I mean it clicked in my head.
and the friend who was my passenger at the time said it:
"you have a dead bulb".
I checked and he was correct.

It wasnt the earth, it wasn't the rain.
It was a defectuous old bulb that caused the circuit to disfunction.
It's replace with a new one now.
Let's see if anything else comes up!

LDV Pilot van - Engine oil leaks? Viscosity, Honey and Water on the menu

I finally managed to get enough little coins to do an oil change to my dear LDV Pilot van.
And since I'm getting bigger oil leaks. One around the head gasket, two around the gearbox...
Here's a video from Eric the car guy that explains what's happened.

He speaks about the difference between liquid flow rate and viscosity; and about the mix of oil and combustion gases that wear the gaskets, rubber joints and metal parts. Those are the main culprits!

His very articulate way of sharing his knowledge and experience through talk and video works very well for me, it might as well for you.

Looks like there a gaskets replacement session ahead!

Gearbox - How does a manual transmission clutch work?

What is a manual transmission clutch and how does it work?

If you are like me you can drive for years and have a 'feel' or a basic understanding of that is a clutch
but you still don't understand what it really is on a vehicle and how it operates.
I'm done with daily use of things I don't understand so I looked on the net for readings and among others, I found this article and very straight to the point video from Howstuffwork.
It tells and shows the various parts flywheel, crankshaft, input shaft, pressure plate, clutch disc and explains how friction is used to connect elements and get power to your wheels for spinning.

So now you should know what is really happening when you hear a horrible grinding noise:
it's the sound of the friction between the flywheel and the clutch disc which is made of ceramic based materials in today's cars (asbestos in some older cars).

If you still don't get it, have a read of this article about transmission on Howstuffwork
and watch more videos.

If you prefer real images to animations, watch Ericthecarguy's very articulate take on the topic

LDV Pilot and Convoy vans - Basic advice on replacing the kin pins

How and what tools do you need to replace the king pins on a Pilot or a Convoy LDV van?
In 2 posts, quoting from auto banter:

Paul[_5_] external usenet poster Posts: 70

LDV pilot - convoy Whats the going rate for a king pin change - mine needs doing and I swore blind never to do another myself ;-) Also, is front axle same off convoy, can get a complete one with new pins for £100.. seems like a much nicer option!

#4 (permalink)    October 12th 09, 10:32 PM posted to uk.rec.cars.maintenance

Paul[_4_] external usenet poster Posts: 41

LDV pilot - convoy Pins are only £29.. which makes up for the fact you either take the axle off and take it somewhere with a press, or spend three days with a sledge hammer beating the fcuk out of it...

(3 days? Some say a week)

#5 (permalink)    October 14th 09, 11:53 AM posted to uk.rec.cars.maintenance

Mrcheerful external usenet poster Posts: 1,691

LDV pilot - convoy a big air hammer takes them out in seconds.

(Don't forget to grease them well)

LDV Pilot van love :)

This is what I found cruising randomly on the web.

A sweet few nicely done webpages about a LDV Pilot from 2002 with good images

where the van seems to be the star of a movie!

I had to feature it here.

Thank you Timothy Birt.

It also has a wealth of information about sustainable energy (campervanners!boaters!) and much more.

(All credits for images and website to Timothy Birt)

How does a car battery works?

I am trying to stop assuming that I understand how things work so I do a bit of research on everything I admit I don't know or understand! Crazy endless quest I reckon.
A friend recently had to replace the starter battery on his narrow boat (Listel engine SR2 from the 70's). I found out that he needed a 90Ah/900v starter battery only (not leisure or both use) and which should be the same as his leisure battery, meaning they must both be either sealed or flooded (this will help recharging correctly and ensure a longer life for the batteries).

"when it comes to starter batteries it the cold cranking capacity that the factor here. A cranking motor can draw 300 amps or so when cranking and in winter a cold engine can take some turning. Cold cranking capacity is not the same as the ampare hour rating. However the so common 110 AH batteries will do it. Generally speaking Deep cycles don't work so well a cranking batteries when weather is cold but nothing else can be found these will do. Most battery suppliers with give both AH capacity and cold cranking capacity in amps marked CCA."

(for the boaters and vanners)
"A lot of car batteries are now the sealed type , make sure you get the same as your leisures , either sealed or flooded .

Why would it matter if it was the same type as the domestic/leisure batteries?

answer:  When charging from the alternator a sealed will take 14.4 , flooded 14.8 , the alternator will either stop charging at less than 14.4 so your leisures are not getting a full charge or you run the risk of overcharging the starter if it goes up to 14.8"

I found an interesting article entitle Car battery explained with a few explanatory inages such as these:

and tips like "Temperature matters! Heat kills car batteries and cold reduces the available capacity."

"
Cranking power:
As the temperature drops, the cranking power required by the car increases. However, as more cranking power is used, the amount of battery power available decreases. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is critical for good cranking ability. It refers to the number of amps a battery can support for 30 seconds at 0°F until the battery voltage drops to unusable levels. For example, a 12 volt battery with 600 CCAs means the battery will provide 600 amps for 30 seconds at 0°F before the voltage falls to 7.20 volts (three cells). The higher the CCA, the more powerful the cranking ability.
If you live in a cold climate, you should consider the CCA rating when choosing a battery. If you live in a very hot climate, you don't need as much CCA."

"An Amp (or Ampere's) is the stand unit that current is measured at. If there is a 1 volt drop across a 1 ohm resister, then 1 Amp is drawn. This formula is know as 'Ohms Law'. However an Amp is a BIG unit, for smaller electronic devices (i.e. computers) its usually measured as milliamps (mA) which is 100 th of an Amp."


The FAQ at the bottom of the article sums it up well.
"
What should I consider when buying a battery?
SIZE: What are the dimensions of your original battery? Will it fit into my battery tray?
POWER: What are the Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) required to power your vehicle?
WARRANTY: Automotive batteries are backed by a warranty package. Chose what is right for your vehicle's needs.
When I am replacing my battery or cleaning the terminals, why is it important to remove the ground wire first?
Before you start, always check the type of grounding system the vehicle has. If you remove the positive connector first in a negative ground system, you risk the chance of creating a spark. That could happen if the metal tool you're using to remove the positive terminal connector comes in contact with any piece of metal on the car. If you are working near the battery when this occurs, it might create an ignition source that could cause the battery to explode. It's extremely important to remove the ground source first.
What does CCA mean?
Cold Cranking Amps is a rating used in battery industry to define a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. The rating is the number of amps a new, fully charged battery can deliver at 0° Fahrenheit for 30 seconds, while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts, for a 12 volt battery. The higher the CCA rating, the greater the starting power of the battery.
How do I safely jump start my battery?
There is a particular sequence which should be followed. This reduces the risk of short circuiting the battery and damaging your alternator etc. The sequence is as follows.

• Switch off the dead car and ensure all other electric devices (i.e. head unit) are switched off. Position the dead car and the good car close to each other, but NOT touching each other (could course a short circuit when jump starting).
• Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive (+) terminal on the dead battery.
• Connect the other end of the red jump lead to the positive (+) terminal on the good battery.
• Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative (-) terminal on the good battery.
• Connect the other end of the black jump lead to the chassis or large bolt/nut/bracket on the engine. Anywhere away from the negative terminal of the dead battery. Do NOT connect it to the negative terminal (-) of the dead battery (explained why latter).
• Ensure that none of the jump leads will come in contact with any rotating or moving parts in the engine bay. Switch on the good car and let it idle for a few minutes. This will allow the two batteries voltages to 'settle' and the alternator to do its job.
• Start the dead car, hopefully as the batteries are now connected in parallel, there is twice the amount of current available to turn the engine over. Once running disconnect the jump leads in the opposite order of connection.

Why can't the jump lead be connected to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery?
When a battery is charging a chemical reaction is present. This produces a waste product, which is flammable gas. When you connected the last jump lead up to the dead car, there should be a spark (generated from the good battery). You want this spark as far away as possible from the battery. Otherwise there is a possibility that the gas will ignite and the battery could burst! Which means your hands could be covered in sulphuric acid!
See the news snippet on the left . Unfortunately any spark or naked flame can ignite the flammable gas. Which in this persons case has now lead him to hospital with burns to his face and hands.

What difference is there between a petrol car battery and a diesel one?
Not much, only the storage capacity of diesel batteries are much bigger, hence they are physically a bit larger. Plus they have a higher CCM so they seem to last longer."
source: topbuzz.co.uk

Deep Cycle Batteries

The difference between deep cycle batteries and more traditional lead acid car batteries is that deep cycle batteries use much thicker lead and lead dioxide plates. This diminishes the surface area on which the chemical reaction can occur. It gives the battery the ability to discharge over and over, but diminishes its ability to produce a lot of power over a short time.

Here are a few more links if you want to learn further. I usually need to read 10 times the same thing to get it in(!!)

One to understand how Volts, watts & amps work for batteries.
One about the different types of batteries, starting batteries, deep cycle batteries.
And a quick video from engineering explained (youtube channel) for the lazy reader or those for whom images and sound work better - but i warn you it's a bit far fetched... hopefullyi find something more straight forward soon...
If you find one post it in a comment please!
And a good article from my friend on leisure batteries for caravaning, boating, marine purpose more specially (approved and recommended by ilve-on boaters I'm in touch with!).
Lastly an article to correlate the previous one on leisure batteries structures and batteries systems in general.

Traveller life: Links about (travelers) law and the Advisory Service For Squatter Handbook Travellers Chapter2014

source: The Community Law Partnership website

GYPSY AND TRAVELLER SUPPORT GROUPS

Advisory Council for the Education of Romany and other Travellers

Pat Barr, PO Box 526, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 9PF.
Tel(Skype): 0203 286 2084.
E-mail: info@acert.org.uk
Website: www.acert.org.uk
ACERT works for: equal access to education, health and other community services for Gypsies and Travellers; safe and secure accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers; good community relations and so endeavours to end discrimination against Gypsies and Travellers on racial and other grounds.

Advisory Service for Squatters

Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX.
Tel: 020 3216 0099 and 0845 644 5814.
Fax: 020 3216 0098.
E-mail: advice@squatter.org.uk
Website: www.squatter.org.uk
ASS covers the whole of England and Wales, giving advice to squatters, other homeless and vulnerably housed people, and those thinking of squatting, by phone, e-mail and in person. ASS produces the Squatters' Handbook and a number of leaflets on various aspects of squatting in a number of (mainly European) languages. ASS tries to respond to attacks on squatting and squatters in the media, courts and parliament.

Friends, Families and Travellers

Emma Nuttall, Advice and Policy Manager, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG.
Tel: 01273 234777.
Fax: 01273 234778.
E-mail: emma@gypsy-traveller.org
Website: www.gypsy-traveller.org
FFT is a national organisation working with all travelling groups, including Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers and New Travellers. Our helpline for Gypsies and Travellers: 01273 234777 is open Monday to Friday (excl. Wednesday) from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm. The helpline can assist with any issue. We have locally-based outreach workers in Sussex, including a mental health caseworker and a youth worker. We carry out policy, lobbying and campaigning work on Gypsy and Traveller issues on a national basis.

Irish Traveller Movement in Britain

The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA.
Tel: 020 7607 2002.
Fax: 020 7607 2005.
E-mail: info@irishtraveller.org.uk
Website: www.irishtraveller.org.uk
ITMB's organisational aims and objectives are: to create an evidence and resource base for positive change for the Traveller community; to promote the social inclusion of Travellers by campaigning on issues that contribute to their exclusion and to promote equality of access to statutory and voluntary services; to develop policy models for working with Travellers and educate statutory and other services who work with Travellers.

National Federation of Gypsy Liaison Groups (NFGLG address)

Unit 3, Molyneux Business Park, Whitworth Road, Darley Dale, Matlock, DE4 2HJ.
Tel: 01629 732744.
E-mail: info@nationalgypsytravellerfederation.org
Website: www.nationalgypsytravellerfederation.org
NFGLG aims to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by working with Gypsy & Traveller groups who are socially excluded and to relieve the needs of such people and assist them in integrating into society. This is achieved by: providing a network group; increasing or co-ordinating opportunities for the Gypsy and Traveller community to engage with service providers; and, educating the public to help them better understand the Gypsy and Traveller community.

National Traveller Action Group

3a Hope End, St. Johns Fen End, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE14 8JD.
Tel: 01945 430995. Mob: 07890 596718.
E-mail: codona9@aol.com

Travellers Aid Trust

Susan Alexander, PO Box 16, Kidwelly, SA17 5YT
Tel/Fax: 01554 891 876
E-mail: info@travellersaidtrust.org.
Website: www.travellersaidtrust.org
The Travellers Aid Trust is an independent grant maker and registered charity formed to relieve poverty and advance education among people who adopt (temporarily or permanently) a nomadic style of life.

Traveller Law Reform Project

6 Westgate Street, London, E8 3RN.
Tel: 07956 450916.
Fax: 020 8533 7110.
E-mail: info@travellerslaw.org.uk.
Website: www.travellerslaw.org.uk
TLRP aims to bring about positive changes in the law in relation to the rights and needs of all the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Travellers' School Charity

PO Box 2, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, SA64 0ZQ.
Tel: 01239 810759

UK Association of Gypsy Women

Rachel Francis-Ingham, Inclusion Office, Suite 03, The Imperial Business Centre, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NQ.
Tel: 01325 788281. Mob: 07748 670200.
Fax: 01325 788281.
E-mail: ukagw@ymail.com and rfukagw@live.co.uk
UKAGW provides an advice, advocacy and guidance service to women from the community which it serves.

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

Bromley Gypsy Traveller Project

230 Sandway Road, St. Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent, BR5 3TF.
Tel: 01689 839052.
Emergency no: 07903 474124.
Fax: 01629 820645.
E-mail: travs@tiscali.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Travellers' Advocacy Service

7e High Street, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire, PE28 9LQ.
Tel: 01480 496577.
Fax: 01480 496566.
Website: www.ormistin.org/community/opus24.html

Canterbury Gypsy and Traveller Support Group

Moate Farm, Stodmarsh Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT3 4AP.
Tel: 07765 174141.
Emergency no: 0845 644 8879.

Cardiff Gypsy and Traveller Project

Claire Dickson, Office Manager. 114 Clifton Street, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 1LW.

Tel: 02920 214411/255205/495575.
Fax: 02920 214411.
E-mail: admincgtp@btconnect.com
CGTPP meets its aims by the provision of an extensive information, advice and liaison service to the Gypsy and Traveller communities in Cardiff, to the Local Authority and all relevant agencies and professionals. The basis of this service is drop-in advice sessions for Gypsies and Travellers, but advice and support at home is also provided for the elderly, people with health issues and carers. Main areas of work include: liaison on issues of development; management and maintenance of sites; homelessness; welfare benefits; reviews and appeals; education; health; social and housing services; racial discrimination. A Gypsy and Traveller Service Providers' Network is run by CGTP for all people in Cardiff working with Gypsies and Travellers and meets quarterly.

Children's Society Traveller Children's Project

Unit 5, Westway Garage, Marksbury, Bath, BA2 9HN.
Tel: 01761 479368. Mob: 07774 838309.
Fax: 01761 479820.
E-mail: dxh@childrenssociety.org.uk

Derbyshire Gypsy Liaison Group

Unit 3, Molyneux Business Park, Whitworth Road, Darley Dale, DE4 2HJ.
Tel/Fax: 01629 732744.

East Anglian Gypsy Council

Plot 3, Oxney Road Caravan Site, Peterborough, PE1 5NX.
Tel/Fax: 01733 347112.
E-mail: P.Mercer@hotmail.co.uk

Herefordshire Travellers Support Group

Trefoil, Brinsop Common, Hereford, HR4 7AS.
Tel: 01432 760350.
E-mail: paebkam@aol.com

Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange

Ground Floor, Crown Point House, 169 Cross Green Lane, Leeds LS9 0BD.
Tel: 0113 240 2444. Mob: 07974 574889.
E-mail: info@leedsgate.co.uk

Leeds Justice for Travellers

9, Mowbray Court, Seacroft, Leeds, LS14 6UN.
Tel: 0113 264 8658

Leicester Gypsy Council Liaison Group

Rosevale House, Hinkley Road, Sapcote, LE9 2LH.
E-mail: LGCLGROUP@aol.com

Lincolnshire Gypsy Liaison Group

Mercury House, Foxby Lane, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 1DY.
Tel: 01427 619521.

London Gypsy and Traveller Unit

6 Westgate Street, Hackney, London, E8 3RN.
Tel: 020 8533 2002.
Fax: 020 8533 7110.
E-mail: info@lgtu.org.uk
Website: www.lgtu.org.uk
LGTU supports Travellers and Gypsies living in London through: accommodation and advocacy advice; community development; a youth programme; campaigning for new sites in London; media; INSET training; research; strategy work and policy development; advice and information to agencies, professionals, community groups, the media and students; and, services on a commissioned basis.

New Traveller Association

Simon Ruston. E-mail newtravellerassociation@gmail.com

One Voice for Travellers Limited

PO Box 9635, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 8WW.
Tel: 07790 801422 and 07790 803176.
E-mail: info@onevoice4travellers.org.uk

Ormiston Norfolk Travellers Initiative

Breckland Business Centre, St. Withburga Road, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1ED.
Tel: 01362 854264. Mob: 07825 688403.
Website: www.ormiston.org

South West Alliance of Nomads

Rev. Roger Redding, The Vicarage, May Lane, Ebbesbourne Wake, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 5JL.
Tel: 01935 825057.
E-mail: welcome@gypsytravellerhelp.org
Website: www.gypsytravellerhelp.org
SWAN aims to make links and create better relationships and understanding among the settled and travelling communities in the South-West.

Southwark Traveller Action Group

The Peckham Settlement, Goldsmith Road, Peckham, London, SE15 5TF.
Tel: 020 7639 1823.
Fax: 020 7635 9830.
E-mail: stag@peckhamsettlement.org.uk
Website: www.peckhamsettlement.org.uk
The Peckham Settlement mission is: "To help those living in the vicinity of the Settlement, both as a community and as individuals, to develop their own potential, enrich their own lives, and solve their own problems. We do this by providing practical supportive services, advice, consultancy, leadership and a channel of communication to agencies and authorities in the area. We are committed to working with people from all backgrounds and are particularly focused on ensuring that so-called hard-to-reach groups can access all the opportunities we offer and services we provide."

Travellers Space

1 Champions Yard, Causewayhead, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 2TA.
Tel: 01736 366940.
E-mail: travellerspace@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.travellerspace-cornwall.org
The charity's objects are: (i) to promote health, to advance education, and to relieve the needs of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, primarily in the South-West of England, in particular, but not exclusively, by providing information, advocacy, advice and support to Gypsies and Travellers; and, ii) the promotion of equality of treatment and diversity, particularly in relation to Gypsies and Travellers, for the public benefit, by informing and educating the public about the traveller way of life and the needs of Gypsies and Travellers, and by promoting activities which foster good relations between Gypsies and Travellers and the communities in which we live.

York Travellers Trust

20 Falsgrave, Clifton, York, YO30 7AZ,
Tel: 01904 630526.
Fax: 01904 675444.
E-mail: travellerstrustyork@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.yorktravellerstrust.org.uk
YTT aims to: provide support, guidance and enabling services, so that individuals can develop their independence to maximise their inclusion in society; work with the Gypsy and Traveller community in an advocacy and assistance capacity, offering specialist advice; encourage and empower Gypsies and Travellers to access community opportunities and services; provide education, raise awareness and promote understanding about the Gypsy and Traveller community.

This is the Advisory Service For Squatter Handbook Travellers Chapter2014
Can be downloaded a a file.

Gypsies and Travellers

ASS are not experts on the law relating to Gypsies and Travellers but receive a large number of enquiries from Gypsies and Travellers. Below is a basic summary of the law relating to Gypsies and Travellers - for detailed advice and information either refer to Legal Action Group Gypsy and Traveller Law edited by Chris Johnson and Marc Willers (2007 edition but new edition under production) or see contacts at page X.

Who is a Gypsy or Traveller?

In terms of the Equality Act 2010, Romani Gypsies, Irish Travellers and Scottish Gypsy-Travellers (and almost certainly Welsh Gypsy-Travellers, though there is no case about them as yet) are ethnic groups. New Travellers are not an ethnic group but come within certain of the definitions as mentioned below.

The definition of Gypsy and Traveller used for the purpose of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessments under the Housing Act 2004 is as follows:-

Gypsies and Travellers means -

(a) Persons with a cultural tradition of nomadism or of living in a caravan; and

(b) All other persons of a nomadic life whatever their race or origin, including-

(i) Such persons who, on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependant’s educational or health needs or old age, have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently; and

(ii) Members of an organised group of travelling showpeople or circus people (whether or not travelling together as such).

This definition has both an ethnic and a nomadic element.

However the definition for the purposes of planning law is as follows:-

Persons of nomadic habit of life whatever their race or origin, including such persons who on grounds only of their own or their family’s or dependant’s educational or health needs or old age have ceased to travel temporarily or permanently, but excluding members of an organised group of travelling showpeople or circus people travelling together as such.

It will be seen that this definition entirely relies on nomadism and not ethnicity.

Provision of Sites

Under the Caravan Sites Act 1968 (CSA) local authorities had a duty to facilitate the provision of caravan sites for Gypsies and Travellers. This duty was taken away by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (CJPOA) 1994. Most of the local authority rented sites that currently exist were created when the duty existed. It should be noted that the Welsh Government, in the Housing (Wales) Bill, intend to re-introduce the duty to provide sites.

Unauthorised encampments

Who owns the land and what is the land?

When Gypsies and Travellers stop on land, it is vital to find out who owns the land in order to work out what options there are and it is also vital to assess the location. It will be virtually impossible to argue that Gypsies and Travellers should remain for a reasonable period on the town hall car park. However, if they are on a disused piece of local authority land in the middle of nowhere, then there are opportunities for arguing that they ought to be allowed to remain where they are for a reasonable period.

Highway land

If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, obstructs the highway they are guilty of an offence. It is also an offence to park a vehicle in such a position, condition or circumstances as to cause a danger to other road users. The highway authorities can require an owner to remove a vehicle that is causing a nuisance and obtain a removal order from the Magistrates Court if it is not removed. The highway authorities can impound a vehicle without an order if the vehicle constitutes a danger to users of the highway.

Common land

There is no right to camp or park up on common land (following on from the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960).

Local authority land

A local authority can evict Gypsies or Travellers from their own land using a County Court possession order or the CJPOA 1994.

Other public authority land

Other public authorities can use County Court possession proceedings to evict Gypsies and Travellers from their land.

Private land

Private owners can use County Court possession proceedings or common law powers of eviction.

Eviction powers under the CJPOA 1994

Local authority powers

Section 77 of the CJPOA 1994 states:-

(1) If it appears to a local authority that persons are for the time being residing in a vehicle or vehicles within that authority’s area -

(a) On any land forming part of a highway;

(b) On any other unoccupied land; or

(c) On any occupied land without the consent of the occupier

The authority may give a direction that those persons and any others with them are to leave the land and remove the vehicle or vehicles and any other property they have with them on the land.

The direction notice must be served on the Gypsies and Travellers by either giving it to them personally or attaching it to a vehicle and displaying it in a prominent place on the site. A removal direction and subsequent order only applies to people on the land at the time of the direction and not to anyone who arrives afterwards.

Gypsies and Travellers will commit a criminal offence if they do not leave (with their vehicle) as soon as “practicable” after receiving the direction. They will also commit an offence if they return with a vehicle to the same land within 3 months and they can be fined for this offence. If they cannot leave or have to return within 3 months due to “illness, mechanical breakdown or other immediate emergency” then they may have a defence.

This provision only relates to people who are living in vehicles. It cannot be used against Gypsies and Travellers living in a tent or a bender.

Police Powers of eviction

Section 61 of the CJPOA 1994 states:-

(1) If the senior police officer present at the scene reasonably believes that two or more persons are trespassing on land and are present there with the common purpose of residing there for any period, that reasonable steps have been taken by or on behalf of the occupier to ask them to leave and -

(a) That any of those persons has caused damage to the land or to property on the land or used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards the occupier, a member of his family or an employee or agent of his, or

(b) That those persons have between them 6 or more vehicles on the land

He may direct those persons, or any of them, to leave the land and to remove any vehicles or other property they have with them on the land.

If the Gypsies or Travellers concerned do not comply with the section 61 direction and leave the land in question by the given deadline, the police have powers of arrest and impoundment of vehicles. Additionally, the Gypsies or Travellers served with the section 61 direction must not return to the land within 3 months.

It is arguable that if the land is owned by a local authority then the “reasonable steps” that should have been taken by the authority should involve complying with the Government Guidance on managing unauthorised encampments and any other relevant local policies - see further below.

It is also important to note that Section 61 does not apply to highway land.

Section 62A of CJPOA 1994 states:-

(1) If the Senior Police Officer present at a scene reasonably believes that the conditions in sub-section 2) are satisfied in relation to a person and land, he may direct the person -

(a) To leave the land;

(b) To remove any vehicle and other property he has with him on the land.

(2) The conditions are -

(a) That the person and one or more others (‘the trespassers’) are trespassing on the land;

(b) That the trespassers have between them at least one vehicle on the land;

(c) That the trespassers are present on the land with the common purpose of residing there for any period;

(d) If it appears to the officer that the person has one or more caravans in his possession or under his control on the land, that there is a suitable pitch on a relevant caravan site for that caravan or each of those caravans;

(e) That the occupier of the land or a person acting on his behalf has asked the police to remove the trespassers from the land.

As is the case with Section 61, the failure to comply with a section 62A direction is an offence and the police have powers of arrest and impoundment of vehicles. There is Government Guidance as to what is meant by the term “a suitable pitch”

Section 62A does apply to highway land.

Common Law Powers of Eviction

There are common law powers of eviction which landowners can use to remove trespassers from land. These powers involve the use of no more force than is “reasonably necessary” and can be applied even without a court order. It is obviously risky for a landowner to rely on these powers because there is potential for the landowner or his/her agent to go beyond the use of “reasonable force” and to end up committing offences themselves. Nevertheless it is quite common for private landowners to use their common law powers of eviction.

Government Guidance indicates that local authorities should only use eviction procedures which involve court action.

Gypsies or Travellers who are encamped on an unauthorised encampment which is within the “curtilage” of a building may be able to rely on Criminal Law Act 1977 Section 6. Section 6 makes it a summary offence for a person without authority to use or threaten violence for the purpose of securing entry to premises, in which, to his or her knowledge, someone is present who is opposed to the entry. However, it should be noted that, if entry can be gained without the use of violence (for example, by simply climbing over a wall or a fence), then the offence will not have been committed.

Section 6 will also apply to violent entry upon a caravan, mobile home or houseboat.

County Court Possession Claims

A local authority, other public authority or a private landowner can take possession action against an unauthorised encampment in the County Court using the procedure laid down in the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) Part 55. The same defences as mentioned below can be used by Gypsies and Travellers in these circumstances. In terms of Gypsies and Travellers on land, an interim possession order cannot be obtained and, additionally, at least 2 clear days’ notice of the hearing must be given to the Gypsies or Travellers concerned.

Article 8 as a Defence

Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (brought into direct effect in domestic law by the Human Rights Act 1998) gives everyone the right to respect for private and family life and home. Recent Supreme Court Judgments have confirmed that Article 8 can be used as a defence to a possession action brought by a local authority against Gypsies and Travellers. Article 8 can also be used as a defence to possession proceedings brought by private landowners though the circumstances would have to be really exceptional for such a defence to stand any chance of success.

Government Guidance, Local Policies and Public Law Challenges

A lot of Government Guidance on the management of unauthorised encampments has been issued by the English and Welsh Governments since the CJPOA was passed in 1994. It is essential reading for anyone advising Gypsies and Travellers.

In England the relevant Guidance is contained in Department of the Environment Circular 18/94 and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Guidance of 2004 and 2006.

In Wales the relevant Guidance is contained in Welsh Office Circular 76/94 (which is identical to Circular 18/94) and Welsh Government Guidance issued in 2013.

All of this Guidance stresses that before deciding whether to evict an encampment enquiries must be made into welfare considerations and the results of those enquiries must be taken into account. Welfare considerations include, of course, issues of health, education and the best interests of any children living on the site.

Additionally, a local authority should consider whether there are alternative locations for the Gypsies and Travellers concerned.

The police and other public authorities should also to take account of welfare considerations.

There is separate Guidance issued in 2011 by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) regarding police evictions and this stresses that any notices should be given in writing and that the police themselves should take account of welfare considerations. The ACPO Guidance further stresses that the police should not use blanket policies of eviction and that the police powers should only be used in more serious cases especially those cases involving anti-social behaviour or criminal activity.

Case law also indicates that humanitarian considerations and the question of possible alternative locations and the toleration of unauthorised sites should be taken into account.

Additionally most local authorities and police forces will have their own written policies about how to deal with unauthorised encampments. Sometimes there are joint protocols between local authorities and/or police forces. It is important for advisers to have regard to these protocols when advising Gypsies and Travellers.

If the police or a local authority or other public body fails to comply with the Government Guidance, and/or with the principles laid down in case law and/or with their own written policies or protocols then a decision to evict may be challengeable by way of an application for judicial review of the decision to evict. Any judicial review application will need to be made very swiftly. Legal Aid is potentially available for such an application.

Planning Law

In the face of continual eviction many Gypsies and Travellers buy a piece of land and apply to the local authority for planning permission to use it as a residential caravan site. Statistics have shown that most applications made by Gypsies and Travellers are refused by local authorities. However, the Gypsy or Traveller concerned then has a right to appeal to a Planning Inspector where they have somewhat better chances of success. A Planning Inspector’s decision can be challenged both by the local authority and by the Gypsy or Traveller in the High Court on a point of law.

There are various steps that local authorities can take against Gypsies and Travellers who are living in caravans on land without planning permission in order to enforce planning control, including:- the issue of enforcement notices and stop notices requiring the use to cease; applying to the courts for an injunction; and direct (eviction) action.

If an enforcement notice is served on Gypsies or Travellers then it is essential that they appeal against the notice within the relevant deadline. If they fail to do so then the enforcement notice will take effect and a subsequent failure to comply with the requirements of the notice will be a criminal offence. In addition, the local authority can refuse to accept a planning application that is subsequently made.

Planning law is very complicated and expert advice should be sought whenever it is possible to do so.

There are specific planning policy provisions for Gypsy and Traveller sites in England and in Wales. In England the relevant policy is contained within a document called Planning policy for traveller sites. Importantly, it states that all local authorities should have put in place a 5 year deliverable supply of sites by March 2013 though many have failed to do so.

In Wales, the planning policy is more sympathetic and is contained in the Welsh Assembly Government Circular 30/2007.

Rented Sites and the Mobile Homes Act 1983

Following the European Court of Human Rights Judgment in Connors v UK in 2005 and a very long consultation process (and much pressure from Gypsy and Traveller support groups and lawyers representing Gypsies and Travellers), the English and Welsh Governments finally introduced the provisions of the Mobile Homes Act 1983 (with a few adjustments) to local authority sites (in 2011 in England and in 2013 in Wales). As a consequence, Gypsies and Travellers living on local authority rented sites now have proper security of tenure and proper rights and obligations in place. Whereas previously a Gypsy or Traveller on a local authority site could be given a 28 day notice to quit and then evicted without any reason being put forward, now eviction action can only be taken in prescribed circumstances, that is: where there has either been a breach of the agreement; or the Gypsy or Traveller concerned is not using the pitch as his or her only or main residence; or where the caravan or mobile home is having a detrimental effect on the amenity of the site; and, in all circumstances, only where the court considers it reasonable that a possession order is made.

It should be noted that Gypsies and Travellers living on private rented sites have always had security of tenure under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.

It is a criminal offence for anyone to be evicted from a site protected by the Mobile Homes Act 1983 without a Court Order.

Homelessness

Gypsies and Travellers who do not have an authorised pitch are considered to be homeless under the Housing Act 1996 Part VII and are entitled to apply to their local authority for homeless persons’ accommodation. In the case of R (Price) v Carmarthenshire County Council it was decided that where Gypsies and Travellers who apply for homelessness accommodation have a cultural aversion to conventional housing, the local authority has to do their best to see if they could find a suitable pitch. That said, in more recent cases the Court of Appeal have decided that the offer of bricks and mortar to a homeless Gypsy or Traveller will only be unsuitable if there is expert evidence from a psychiatrist to prove that a move into conventional housing would cause the Gypsy or Traveller to suffer harm.

Legal Aid

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPOA) 2012 greatly reduced the scope of legal aid. However, legal aid is now available for Gypsies and Travellers in the following circumstances:-

• To defend a possession action take under the Mobile Homes Act 1983;
• To apply for judicial review of a decision to evict an unauthorised encampment or to serve a stop notice or to take direct action against an unauthorised development;
• In High Court planning appeals and planning injunction cases;
• In homelessness cases;

• In serious disrepair matters relating to rented sites.

In other circumstances, where it can be agreed that the fact that a Gypsy or Traveller does not have representation for a matter may mean that Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to a fair hearing) is breached, exceptional funding under Section 10 of LASPOA 2013 can be sought.