TRAVELLERS have set up camp at a car park in Reading, as the council continues to search for a permanent site.

Reading Borough Council has brought proceedings against the travellers to evict them from the Hills Meadow car park near Reading Bridge, Caversham.

There are 12 caravans at the council-owned car park - taking up public parking spaces in Reading.

The group has been at the site for six days after arriving on Saturday evening (January 26).

A spokesman for Reading Borough Council, said: "Twelve caravans arrived at Hills Meadow car park on Saturday evening.

"The council is liasing with Police and has started the legal process to enable eviction of the unauthorised encampment."

One eyewitness who saw the caravans explained how the car park is totally preoccupied and leaves no space for people to use to car park properly.

He said: "It is upsetting members of the public and they are stopping businesses from coming to the town by taking up car parking spaces."

From 2017-2018, the council spent over £100,000 on defending vulnerable sites.

In 2018, £72,446 was spent on clean-ups and legal and bailiff costs.