Travellers have been ordered to leave a public park, after “breaking through” a locked gate and pitching up several caravans.
Police were called to Oakwood Park in Eastwood when the caravans started arriving on Thursday evening.
Southend City Council’s legal team have quickly issued them with a directive to leave, but they remained pitched up for six days.
The ‘Unauthorised Occupation of Land’ notice reads: “You are occupying land owned by Southend-on-Sea City Council. You do not have the permission of the City Council to occupy the land.
“You are required to leave the site forthwith, taking any items you may have with you. Failure to do so will result in legal action being taken against you.”
Oakwood Park in Leigh-on-Sea is a family favourite for peaceful strolls and dog walking in the woodland area. The park is equipped with grass football pitches, a basketball area, an area dedicated to wheeled sports, a pavilion and children’s playground.
UPDATE: The caravans have now vacated the park but a large quantity of waste was left behind. Councillor Paul Collins inspected the park and said: “I am warning everyone to be careful if they use the Park today. There a number of items in the grass that animals and children need to be wary of including glass and metal.”
Councillor Dave Poulton added: “The visitors have now left Oakwood Park. As expected, its condition leaves a lot to be desired. We have asked for the park to be secured as a matter of urgency, and arrangements made for a park clean up to restore our local park for residents to enjoy.”
Eastwood Park Councillor Rob McMullan was also frustrated. He said: “We have asked for the gates and other accesses to be made secure as a matter of urgency and for a clean-up, I am told that there is litter and objects they have left behind and we are unsure what might be in the woods.
“We will have to pay. We have to pay Veolia staff to go in and spend at least a day going through everything and removing things and dealing with ongoing park damage. For instance, they have driven vehicles across the grass and churned it up.”