A sleepy Surrey village has been left “under siege” by an “invasion” of more than 70 caravans.
Locals in Shipley Bridge have voiced their fury – with columns of vehicles now occupying at least 10 pitches on a stretch of country lane kess than a kilometre long.
Homeowners say they feel trapped and outnumbered in their own community, while properties worth up to £1million are said to have dropped in value due to the chaos.
One resident who asked not to be named said: “Our home was our biggest investment and should have been our safe place. Now we are fearful when we drive down our lane.”
Another, Phil Cater told the Mail of how he bought his property for nearly £1million in 2022, drawn by its beautiful surroundings and protected woodland.
Within six weeks of moving in, travellers arrived with heavy machinery on the neighbouring land.
He said: “We moved in in February 2022 and within six weeks the travellers turned up next door with heavy machinery and pulled down all the trees, mowed down all the shrubs and killed all the wildlife.”
Mr Cater estimates his home has lost at least £250,000 in value, assuming he could find a buyer at all.
MAPPED: Where are the Shipley Bridge caravan sites?
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He claims he was assaulted when he challenged the newcomers about planning permission.
“One of them took my phone and made me delete them,” he said. “Another threw a running chainsaw at me.”
Children have reportedly thrown stones at houses and passing vehicles on the lane.
The traveller sites are guarded by large electric gates, CCTV cameras, and signs reading “enter at your own risk”.
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Locals claim they have spotted Facebook adverts offering static homes for rent at prices between £800 and £1,200 monthly.
One resident said: “We are seeing a lot of non-traveller people living at these sites despite there being an unmet need for pitches.”
Construction work on new pitches typically begins during bank holiday weekends when council offices are closed, residents say.
Tandridge Council confirmed it has served 13 notices and obtained three High Court injunctions over the past 19 months regarding unauthorised traveller incursions in the Shipley Bridge area.
Tandridge Council confirmed it has served 13 notices and obtained three High Court injunctions over the past 19 months alone (file photo)
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A council spokesman said: “Enforcement cases are often complex, require multi-agency involvement and can take time to resolve, which may not always match residents’ expectations.”
Surrey Police said it had received four reports of anti-social behaviour and six reports of harassment or public order incidents on Green Lane across 2025.
A police spokesman said thorough investigations had been conducted and all reasonable lines of enquiry explored for each reported case.