A clean getaway

A clean getaway

Feb 14 2003
By Chris Pragnell

South London Press

ROAD sweeper James Kilty keeps the streets of Lambeth clear of rubbish - but when his council bosses want the streets clear of him, it's another story.

For years he's been playing a catand-mouse game with the council, living in a caravan at the roadside until the authority moves him on.

His bosses and police evicted him from his pitch in Kennington Grove last Friday - but he's moved just round the corner.

He said: "It's like Wacky Races. I've lost count of how many times they've evicted me. But I just move to another spot."

"All I want is a house or flat for me and my dogs.

"If I get that, I swear I'll give the caravan to a homeless person."

Council officials last week caught up with the 56-year-old living next to the road sweepers' depot where he uses the bathrooms.

He moved just yards away to Oval Way, and Lambeth has warned him he can't stay. "I'm prepared to go to prison over this," he said. "If I can't get a flat, I'll live in this caravan.

"I've lived in Lambeth all my life and I'm not leaving."

According to Mr Kilty, he's been playing the absurd game with his employers for years. "Normally I get about five or six months before they move me on.

"I'm banned from driving anyway so technically I'd be breaking the law if I drove the van."

Mr Kilty was born and bred in Kennington but for the past 12 years he has lived in his caravan.

He shares it with Megan, his five-year-old Jack Russell-Staffordshire cross, and her litter of five puppies.

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed an eviction notice had been served on Mr Kilty. "Technically, he's squatting and we've gone through the correct legal procedure to have him moved on.

"He signed up for the housing register in 1999, but sadly it could take some time before we find something.

"He should come in and speak to us - there may be special circumstances."

The spokeswoman also said she had no record of Mr Kilty's previous evictions but added that areas such as parks and open land were dealt with by a different department.

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