Travellers remain in Southern Country Park despite being served order to leave on Friday
An “unauthorised encampment” of travellers remains in Southern Country Park in Bishop’s Stortford this morning (Monday), despite being told on Friday to leave immediately.
Police received several calls at around 4.20pm on Thursday (August 29) to report that a number of vehicles and caravans had arrived in the area.
The Green Flag award-winning park is owned by East Herts Council (EHC). On Friday, council officers served notice for the travellers to leave immediately and that the entire site should be cleared by 9am Monday (September 2).
Cllr Graham McAndrew, who represents the Bishop’s Stortford Thorley Manor ward on the council, told the Indie at 10.15am today: “I’ve just driven past there and noticed the unauthorised encampment was still there.
“The travellers are keeping the site in ‘reasonably’ good condition. They have shown no threatening or aggressive behaviour towards council officers or the police, and the police have not shared any report of intimidatory behaviour to park users.”
A motorist who was passing the park on Thursday afternoon told the Indie that the vehicles had entered the park via an access at the corner of the A1184 St James’ Way and Obrey Way.
Jim Hook, chair of the Friends of Southern Country Park, posted on Facebook just before 6pm on Thursday: “Some people have accessed the park with mobile caravans and are parked up at the far end of the lake near the Old Pond, just beyond Middle Wood.
“There appear to be three or four caravans, a car and a mobile wood chipper, and some dogs in small kennels.
“You are advised not to approach the people concerned, but, as always, if you see any other activity in the park that you consider might be criminal, please report it to the police on 101 or in an emergency 999.”
At 8.15pm he added: “We are aware that more vehicles have been arriving and accessing the park through the horse hop access at the western end of the park near the Moor Hall Lane roundabout. We are keeping East Herts informed.”
A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said on Friday morning: “We are working with landowners to resolve the situation and continue to monitor the area.”
