"Disgusting" Havant travellers leave mess and avoid eviction operation as Waterlooville encampment bloats
Travellers have been in the area for the last week
Travellers in Havant dodged a “large scale eviction operation” after leaving a site near the rugby club in a mess while an encampment in Waterlooville has now bloated in size.
Havant Borough Council was preparing to remove the 16 caravans which pitched up last week on a field to the back of Havant Rugby Club after they had moved on from a space off Old Copse Road and Stockheath Common. But the group left the location on Monday evening - leaving litter scattered across the field.
Portsmouth Water contractors are now putting up barriers across the field to prevent others from taking over the site as they undertake pipe work as part of the Havant Thicket Reservoir scheme.
A Havant Borough Council spokesperson had said they were “speaking with the police to see if they are able to intervene” as the authority took action to remove them.
The spokesperson then added on Monday: “Bailiffs are happy to proceed with the section 78 gained on Friday, for all vehicles and caravans that are part of the encampment currently on Havant Rugby Field. A large-scale eviction operation will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) should they remain on site.”
But the nomads moved on before they were forced off - leaving a large volume of mess behind.
One resident said: “It’s disgusting, they do it every time. They leave such a mess behind. It’s not nice for people who want to use the field when they’re here.
“I don’t know how they got in but at least they’re gone now. The area is now being blocked off with barriers placed across it so hopefully that will keep any more out.”
Another person said: “Rubbish has been left everywhere as usual. It’s not nice, especially for children who want to play in the park and for people who want to walk their dogs at the field.”
It is also understood that Portsmouth Water contractors had to delay works at the field amid concerns over trouble flaring. They are now taking no chances of further delays by putting up a blockage across the entrance to the field.
Meanwhile travellers at a small grass space near Waterlooville town centre off Hambledon Road at the Berewood Estate arrived on Thursday evening - but have now grown in size. It is not known if some of the vehicles from Havant have now pitched up at Waterlooville.
One local said: “It probably now exceeds 20 caravans, motorhomes, trucks, wood shredder and horse. It’s almost packed now and has more than doubled in size.”
Another resident said: “I don’t know why the police don’t take away their vehicles for not having insurance, MOT or a licence like they would do for other people.”
Havant Borough Council said they had “no jurisdiction and will not get involved with the eviction process” as the land belongs to the developer Grainger.
A spokesperson for the landowner Grainger said: “We are aware of the presence of travellers on the site. Fortunately, there has been very little disruption to the development, and we expect the situation to be resolved shortly.
“Once the site is clear, we will carry out any necessary clean up works before continuing with the development programme.”
A police spokesperson said on Monday: “Travellers are still at the location on Hambledon Road. Officers are monitoring the situation and liaising with the local authority.”