FUMING residents are calling for urgent action to prevent illegal traveller encampments “getting out of control” in their road.

Those living in Hovefields, Wickford, have been fighting for many years to stop two illegal developments.

Although the council has taken them to court, residents are frustrated by the slow process and a lack of communication.

Jenny Mace, chairman of Hovefields Residents’ Association, said on behalf of the residents: “The situation is running totally out of control now.

“We cannot go back to the situation we had 11 years ago where there was daily intimidation, antisocial behaviour, vandalism and shootings.

“We do not have the infrastructure down here to support this size of community.

Basildon Council needs to act and to act now. Any delays will just give rise to further and repeated unlawful development by the travellers.

“We feel that Basildon Council has a duty of care not only to the travellers, but to the settled residents of Hovefields, who are a minority group in the area.

“Our requests for a meeting are being stonewalled. It is an absolute disgrace.”

Members of the association urged all councillors to “put aside their differences, stop trying to score political points, stop mud-slinging and work together to stop this nightmare situation”.

Chris Walsh, whose parents live off Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, said he was particularly disappointed with the “incredibly arrogant and dismissive” actions of leader of Basildon Labour Party and chairman of Basildon Council Gavin Callaghan, who he claimed had not once acknowledged the emails sent by the residents' association about his concerns.

He claims that their emails to Mr Callaghan now bounce back. When the Echo contacted Mr Callaghan, he hung up.

Wickford Independent councillor David Harrison said he was planning to set up a meeting within the next the days with members of the association.

However, the residents say they have not yet been contacted about a meeting.

The Conservative party has request an extraordinary meeting to challenge the “ongoing mishandling” of the issue.

Tory councillor Kevin Blake said the Tories had not supported a motion calling on more action against travellers setting up, because it was too specific and would open the council up to discrimination claims.

Mr Harrison said that this was just “political point scoring”.

A Basildon Council spokesperson said: “Basildon Council is doing, and will continue to do, all it can within current laws to tackle planning breaches, including serving various notices, directions and pursuing court action where appropriate.

“At a hearing in the High Court on June 7 a judge ruled to allow travellers to stay on the unauthorised site known as land west of Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, until further notice despite the council’s strong objections. The terms of an injunction made on 18 October 2016 preventing further development of the land and restricting occupation to those living there at that time were varied.

“At a further High Court hearing on July 26 committal proceedings in relation to the land and a subsequent application from the defendants to strike out these proceedings were discontinued by mutual consent following the preliminary observations of the judge.

“Basildon Council has told the High Court it intends to contest a claim for judicial review which was submitted after it declined to determine a retrospective planning application seeking permission for six caravan pitches to remain on land west of Hovefields Avenue.”