Gosport travellers subjected to dusty welcome as efforts to evict step up

Police and Gosport Borough Council vehicles were spotted at the scene off Grange Lane in Rowner around 4pm on Monday after travellers gained access to the space, as reported.

Council vehicles swooped to the area to block off any more travellers joining the small band.

A video showed a grounds operative cutting the grass causing a massive swirl of dust to sweep across the encampment.

A Gosport Borough Council spokesperson said in an update: “We are aware of a small traveller encampment on land at Grange Lane. The council is monitoring the situation and is working with relevant partners to ensure the welfare of all those involved, while minimising any impact on the local community.

"At this stage, the encampment remains relatively small and there have been no reports of significant disruption. The council will continue to assess the situation and take any appropriate action in line with its legal responsibilities and established procedures.

"We understand that residents may have concerns and would encourage anyone experiencing issues associated with the encampment to report them to 101."

Reform UK Gosport, in a Facebook post, said on Monday: “Travellers have arrived in Gosport. Council vehicles are arriving now to prevent further travellers arriving and police are on scene at Grange Lane fields next to the school in Rowner.

“Access to the field and other areas of the borough are too easy for vehicles to gain entry. Cllrs Paul Carter and Paul Jacobs have been asking the council as far back as September last year along with the conservatives more recently to put measures in place to protect our open spaces, yet we are still waiting for action. “

Police previously said: “This was reported at 4.17pm (on Monday) and we will discuss next steps with the landowner.”