Council moves to evict group of travellers

Lincolnshire County Council has started proceedings to remove a group of travellers who set up camp on council owned land in Market Deeping.

Council officials on Wednesday, August 22, paid a visit to the group who parked their caravans and vehicles alongside Cross Road on the outskirts of the town.

Facilities service manager Andy Fenn said: “The county council is seeking to remove the travellers from highways land at Cross Road, Market Deeping.

"We have applied to the court for a possession order and this is due to be considered on Friday.”

The travellers had initially set up on public land in Tattershall Drive on August 16.

The matter was quickly reported to South Kesteven District Council officials and Lincolnshire Police.

Community policing inspector for Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings, Inspector Ian Martin, said they had received a number of complaints from members of the public.

Inspector Martin said the group was issued with a notice to move on August 17 and they had left the site two days later.

“They then moved to Cross Road in Market Deeping,” he said.

“The land belongs to Lincolnshire County Council and officials are assessing the situation and putting processes into place to have them removed.”

Inspector Martin said there had been a reduction in the number of complaints police received from the public after the group had moved to Cross Road.

“But there was increased tension in the community,” he said.

“I visited the site (on Monday) and they were amicable.

"I made it clear they could not remain there and that it was an unauthorised encampment.”

The Mercury joined Inspector Martin on a second visit to the site on Wednesday.

Most of the group were said to be at a wedding and those that were there said they would be vacating the land on Thursday, August 23.