A SITE which has been overrun with travellers 10 times since Christmas is due to have barriers installed eight months later.

Frustrated residents have had to put up with more anti-social behaviour and 'disgusting' mess on the Granville Road encampment since the latest batch of caravans moved onto the grass verge in Southcote.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) has spent a 'significant' amount of money on cleaning up after the travellers and is finally taking steps to prevent them from using the site.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "The council told me they can't do anything about it. It is like a junk yard and they have only been there for two days.

"I have just phoned the council about the rubbish and let me tell you fly tipping is an understatement. It is absolutely disgusting.

"I am getting sick and tired of it. There are mountains of black bags everywhere and rubbish all over the grass.

"They play loud music at all hours of the day and night and leave their car doors open with the volume turned up.

"We struggle to sleep because of all the noise. The most peaceful night we had was when they were all trapped inside their caravans because of the thunderstorm."

Previous groups have left substantial levels of rubbish and excrement on the site.

The council has started the legal process for evicting the travellers from this site.

The court hearing has been confirmed for Wednesday, July 26.

A spokesman for RBC added: “We understand the frustrations of residents in this area where there have been regular incursions this year and where reports of this sort of anti-social behaviour have followed, along with significant clean-up costs.

“Work begins quickly to start the eviction process, but the length of the legal process is not always in the council’s hands.

“Work to help protect the area from future encampments, it is due to begin on week commencing August 7 and will involve using knee rail metal barriers and natural barriers that have proven successful in other areas.”