Birmingham expands GRT support and transit site

By hiyastar.co.uk regional news desk

Published: June 2026

Birmingham families from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities are being pointed toward a dedicated council team as the city marks Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month with changes to local support and site provision.

The work announced by Birmingham City Council includes a new focus for its Gypsy and Traveller service, wider partnership working with agencies across the city, and the reopening of the official Proctor Street transit site for people travelling through Birmingham.

The council says the aim is to improve engagement, build trust and connect residents with services such as healthcare, education, housing support and safeguarding. The changes also sit within a practical local issue: how Birmingham provides safe, managed stopping places while reducing pressure from unauthorised encampments.

Dedicated GRT team takes on city support role

The council’s Gypsy and Traveller service is now being led by a dedicated team, with a brief to improve contact with communities and help families access the support they need.

That matters locally because support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities often depends on trust, early contact and clear routes into public services. The council says the team will focus on better engagement and listening to residents’ experiences, rather than treating support as a one-off response when problems arise.

Anyone requiring support has been asked to contact the team by email at GRT-team@birmingham.gov.uk.

Proctor Street transit site reopens for travellers

A central part of the council’s new work is the reopening of the designated Gypsy and Traveller transit site on Proctor Street.

The site is described by the council as a safe and managed space for those travelling through Birmingham. It forms part of the city’s approach to lawful and suitable provision, while also reducing the local impact of unauthorised encampments.

Transit sites are intended for short-term stays, giving families somewhere recognised and managed to stop. For councils, they can also provide a clearer way to link travelling families with advice, services and safeguarding support where needed.

Police, schools, housing and charities join support work

Birmingham City Council says it is working with West Midlands Police, education services, housing providers and charities as part of the wider programme.

Those partnerships are meant to improve how services respond when families need help across more than one area. A family may need school contact, housing advice, health support or safeguarding guidance at the same time, and the council says earlier intervention and joined-up working are part of the new approach.

The focus on partnership also reflects the wider challenges highlighted during Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. The national initiative celebrates GRT heritage and contributions, while raising awareness of barriers communities continue to face.

What this means locally

• Birmingham now has a dedicated Gypsy and Traveller service team for support and engagement.
• The Proctor Street transit site has reopened as the city’s official managed stopping place.
• The council says partner agencies are working more closely on healthcare, education, housing and safeguarding.
• Residents and travelling families are likely to see the changes most clearly through contact with the dedicated team and use of the managed site.

Council says trust is central to the work

Paul Langford, Executive Director of City Housing at Birmingham City Council, said the work was an opportunity to create change through closer contact with communities and partners.

“We’re working closely with communities and partners to better understand needs, challenge misconceptions and build a service we can be proud of,” he said.

He added that trust was central to the council’s approach, saying partners were beginning to work more closely together and residents were becoming more confident in sharing their experiences.

“Providing suitable, well-managed sites is a vital step in supporting communities and creating better outcomes for everyone,” Langford said.

Source: Birmingham City Council