Travellers set up camp at Laurel Park

Ali Powell • Published 17 Jul 2008 09:30 0 Comments

NEIGHBOURS in Lower Earley were calling for action this week after travellers moved onto a popular playing field.

Several caravans parked in Laurel Park on Tuesday where the playing fields are used weekly for football training.

The park is flanked by Sellafield Way and Marefield, and residents living there said this week that something needs to be done to move them on - and to stop them returning.

One mum living off Sellafield Way said: "I couldn't believe it when I looked out and saw all the caravans there.

"They've really made themselves at home as well, there are washing lines stretched everywhere filled with clothes and even a wooden dog kennel next to one of the caravans. I normally cut across the field to get to the play park and the lake to feed the ducks with my children but there is no way that I'm walking through the middle of all the caravans.

"A lot of the mums with older children are stopping them from playing out on their own over the park at the moment as well."

A pensioner in Marefield added: "I really feel for all the football teams who train there. All the kids turn up for training and they won't get near the football pitch because there are caravans and jeeps everywhere.

"The police and council need to move them on and do something to keep them out. I'm sure if I parked a caravan on the field I'd soon have the council and police knocking at my door, so why do travellers get away with it?"

Dog walker Susan Evans, from Earley, said: "I come to Laurel Park regularly as it is such a nice walk around the lake, through the woods, across the smaller field and round the main field.

"A lot of dog walkers come here and the dogs have a great time playing here, but we're having to avoid the main field at the moment because of the travellers.

"I could see a dog kennel as I walked past on the main road so wouldn't risk walking my own dog through the campsite anyway.

"I'm also worried about the mess that they leave behind. Let's hope the police move them on very quickly and that the council do everything possible to make sure they can't get in again."

Police spokesman Adam Fisher said yesterday (Wednesday): "We expect due to the circumstances to use police powers to move them on in the next 24 hours."

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This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 17 Jul 08

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