Members of the 
Silves council executive have professed total surprise and shock at the expulsion of the motorcaravan city that had been allowed illegally to build up in the council car park next to the FISSUL building by the river.
In a statement, the council found that the action by the GNR Environmental Portection Force was ‘strange,’ leading as it did to the ‘expulsion of motorcaravanners.’
“We find it strange and incorrect that the council was not informed or consulted," read a statement, adding that "recently the council together with the GNR had been developing an awareness among the motorcaravanners to persuade them to move to neighbouring camping sites which have appropriate conditions, but at the same time allowing them to remain at the FISSUL site if they respected a set of rules."
"In a time of severe economic, financial and social crisis, more patience and restraint was called for when judging what measures should be taken, because the presence of the motorcaravanners in the city of Silves is a boost and considerably supports local businesses.”
“Silves council regrets what happened last Friday and commits itself to reverse the situation by the promoting and the creation of appropriate conditions for the installation of a caravan park for the city of Silves," the document concludes.
Locals say there were around 150 motorcaravans in the carpark on Friday morning, and 30 by the end of the day with some apparently stored for the winter - owners absent. The two other unofficial campsites near the city have also been cleared of motorcaravans.
