Travellers leave Barton Field near Westleigh Park but bags of rubbish remain

A group of travellers who set themselves up in a Leigh Park field have left after five days.

Havant Brough Council confirmed that a section 78 notice had been issued to the encampment at Barton field next to Westleigh Park late on Tuesday, July 14 but by late Wednesday afternoon they were still in place. To the relief of local residents, the group did move on in the evening with bailiffs called to assist with the eviction.

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While the group has left, piles of rubbish bags and litter remain on the site.

The travellers first arrived at Barton field on Friday, July 10 in the evening with residents raising the issue with police and the local council. They were on the site for over five days before adhering to the eviction notice.

Shortly after the group left, a set of travellers broke into the park in Scratchface Lane in Bedhampton.

They are not the only encampment in the area with officers due to attend court today to request a section 78 notice for a group at Hermitage Lea. The land is owned by Portsmouth City Council but Havant Borough Council are acting on their behalf with an eviction “likely” to take place on Friday.