A GROUP of travellers have set up camp in a park in Yate.

The gathering saw at least ten caravans park up in Lye Field Park on Thursday, August 10.

The park, which is off Goose Green Way and Station Road, is owned by Yate Town Council, who are aware of the encampment.

A spokesman for the council said: “We are extremely concerned at the impact of this upon adjoining residents, users of the play area, users of paths across the site and highway safety as the travellers are using the narrow pedestrian path through the hedge onto station road between the roundabout and the crossing.

"We are doing all we can to secure the site for its continued public use. There is a legal process, which we are going through as quickly as possible and are grateful to South Gloucestershire Council and the police for their support.

"This is a legal tightrope we need to walk to get ensure we get the site vacated, and will do it as quickly as the law allows.

"The town council said it will carry out a 'deep cleanse' as soon as the site is secured, so it can be restored to public use as soon as possible."

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman added: "We are aware of the illegal encampment at Lye Field in Yate. Our Traveller Unit has visited the site, we have organised the necessary welfare checks and have made arrangements for waste removal. 

“The encampment has been issued with a Section 77 notice today requesting that the families leave the site, and we continue to liaise with the police and Yate Town Council (the land owner), in order to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, in line with our established procedures.”