CAMPAIGNERS and opposition councillors are demanding an injunction or banning order as a group of travellers continues to travel across south Essex, pitching up at parks and open spaces.

They are calling for more to be done after one group of nine travellers went from Cherry Orchard Park, Rochford, to Gunners Park in Shoebury and then pitched up on Great Wakering Recreational Ground.

Dan Nelson, Southend Tory shadow cabinet member for community safety said: “We are wasting taxpayers’ money in chasing them about and nothing is resolved. We must have an injunction and powers to fine them - then we can say they are not allowed to pitch up in the borough and also will be fined if they do. This will make them think twice.”

Bob Ruffleton, 51, from Shoebury said: “We are letting them get away with it and residents are fitting the bill when it comes to cleaning up if mess left behind.

“I know there’s a serious lack of traveller sites but we can’t have people doing this and getting away with it.”

Valerie Cox, 41, from Rochford said: “All our councils should work together otherwise we’ll keep seeing them just move about.

“I feel for some of them as they all need more permanent sites and more appropriate places - and again this is the council’s responsibility.”

The nine caravans pitched up at Gunners Park off New Barge Pier Road, Shoebury, on Saturday after being forced to leave Cherry Orchard Park in Rochford - just eight miles away.

The caravan encampment, which had been at the beauty spot in Rochford since August 18, was given a two-day extension to an eviction court order due to family circumstances.

The nine caravans then moved onto Great Wakering Recreational Ground on Monday evening.

Carole Mulroney, Lib Dem Southend cabinet member, said: “We have looked into a borough-wide injunction and discussed it in full council in June last year, where the motion was rejected because the legal advice was that it would be disproportionate to the issue we face in Southend.

“We were further advised therefore, that it was very unlikely to succeed and would incur heavy costs to the Council. We continue to work on finding an acceptable solution alongside our partners, including Essex Police and await legislation from Government which it is hoped will address the situation once and for all.”

A Rochford District Council spokesman addedd: “The council constantly works closely with Essex Police and the Essex County Traveller Unit to ensure that illegal Traveller encampments are moved on as soon as possible.”