THE MAYOR of London has backtracked on plans to more than double the number of traveller sites in the borough.

But despite the planned reduction from 22 to seven, the council are not happy and are calling on other councils to share the burden.

Boris Johnson's plans were exposed in the Gazette three weeks ago to increase the the number of pitches from 20 to 42.

Hillingdon Council attacked the plans as 'unfeasible' and 'unrealistic' while calling for an urgent rethink.

Following a similar outcry from local authorities across London, the GLA have reduced the number of pitches they wish to impose across London.

Instead of increasing traveller pitches in London to 538, they are now only seeking to add 238.

Instead of 22 more for Hillingdon, the GLA are only seeking to add seven.

All 20 of the current pitches are located at the Colne Park Caravan Site in West Drayton.

Hillingdon Council said: "We are happy that the Mayor of London has taken a realistic approach to this issue."

"We already provide a site for travellers in Hillingdon and hope that other London boroughs, without any provision, will now look to provide sites of their own."

What do you think? Should the borough accept the deal? E-mail editorialuxbridge@trinitysouth.co.uk