Security improved after travellers set up camp

Security has been beefed up across the town after travellers pitched up on scrubland next to the multimillion-pound Elwick Place development.

Nine motorhomes made an impromptu encampment next to Travelodge in Elwick Road last Wednesday and remained on the council-owned site - which is set to be converted into 200 homes as part of Elwick Place’s second phase - for the next two days.

Bailiffs descended on the camp on Friday, but, later that day, a concerned member of the public overheard the group discussing plans to move onto the site of the now-demolished Bockhanger Community Centre in Kennington.

The ward’s representative, Cllr Diccon Spain (Lab), said: “There was an imminent danger that there would be incursion onto the site and after what happened at Spearpoint the council got onto it quite quickly.”

Last month, 10 to 15 caravans pitched up on The Ridge in Kennington close to the Spearpoint Pavilion before being evicted the same day.

The group then moved onto Waterbrook Park industrial estate in Sevington.

Following the latest encampment next to Travelodge last week, large concrete blocks were rapidly placed around the Bockhanger site, with their Lego brick-like appearance prompting many on social media to suggest painting them.

When asked if he would support this artistic venture, Cllr Spain (Lab) said: “Not really as they hopefully won’t be there for too long.

“I’ve been pushing for quite a few weeks regarding child safety on the site - they run after footballs onto the road, so I’ve been pushing for a permanent barrier.

“Rails would be a better solution that protects children rather than just being an impediment to vehicles going onto field.

“It’s frustrating because we want proactive action rather than reactive.

“If that fencing had been around we wouldn’t have needed the blocks.”

It is not known how long the concrete defence will be in place, but a council spokeswoman said: “We are arranging with a contractor for timber fencing to be installed around the perimeter of the site following the demolition of the community centre.

“This is to ensure the safety of children who may otherwise run out into the road as well as to protect the site from any vehicles parking there.

“We are working closely with the fencing contractor to coordinate the removal of the blocks once the fencing installation begins.”

On the Elwick Road encampment next to Travelodge in the town centre, the spokeswoman added: “We cannot confirm how they got onto the land, but as a result of the unauthorised encampment the council has laid large concrete blocks across the entrance.

“This should prevent a reoccurrence of the problems we had last week.”

Travellers set up camp on scrubland next to the Travelodge hotel in the town centre

The concrete blocks in Bockhanger have been described as Lego bricks after being installed by the council

Cllr Diccon Spain has fears over safety in his ward