Travellers in Worthing and Lancing to be moved on - Sussex

From the Argus

Travellers who moved on to popular parks regularly used by thousands of sports people, children and walkers have been warned they will be evicted.

About 12 vans moved on to the Rotary Ground, off Hill Barn Lane, in Worthing, yesterday.

Pictures showed the fence surrounding the open space, which was gifted to Worthing Borough Council, had been apparently cut to create a space for vehicles to drive on to the land.

It comes as there were further encampments at The Gallops in Vale Drive, Findon Valley, and Beach Green in Lancing.

Writing on Twitter about the Rotary Ground, Worthing Borough Council leader Paul Yallop said: “It is not known at present where the Travellers have come from. The council has spent money securing these grounds so I’m not pleased to hear the news.”

The site was presented to the town by the local Rotary Club in 1927 and has two cricket pitches, three football pitches, a pavilion, toilets and a play area.

The council said legal proceedings for the group of 16 Travellers on The Gallops had been drafted on Friday and that it was waiting for a court date.

Lancing Parish Council, which owns Beach Green, said it had a date in the county court and hoped to serve an eviction notice on an encampment of 15 Travellers on its site by Thursday.

Ann Bridges, chairwoman of Lancing Parish Council, said there had been a number of incidents of damage including ripped up fence posts and vandalised sea defences.

She said: “We got our legal people on it immediately but this time they have caused a lot of damage and spread right across the green.

“It has cost us a lot of money which will have to come out of our funds as we have not budgeted for it.”

Advice on the local authority’s website said: “Adur and Worthing Councils will consider each case individually.

“In all cases the site is visited and every effort made to make sure that the Gypsies and Travellers keep the site clean and tidy.”

It added the process to move groups on normally took about a week.