Travellers 'ride motorbikes over children's area' in West Howe - Dorset

From the Daily Echo

TRAVELLERS are driving quad bikes and motorbikes over a children’s play area and a field used by dog walkers, residents claim.

People living nearby say they are now too scared to use the land and they are angry about the damage being done.

They want action over the disruption off Duck Lane in Bournemouth’s West Howe.

The Echo watched two Traveller teenagers driving motorbikes on the field then over the edge of Poole Lane play area.

Another Traveller, driving a quad bike in the play area, was only aged around 10.

A resident, aged 33, sat on the grass at the edge of Poole Lane and said she was too worried about the danger to take her 15-month-old any further.

A 39-year-old female resident said: “People have been walking their dogs there for years.

“Now we, the ratepayers, can’t use it and look what’s being done to it.”

An 18-year-old resident said: “They were driving over the play area in a car the other night.”

The Travellers moved on to the field last Wednesday and there are now around 15 caravans parked on the field by Elmrise Primary.

Cllr Roger Marley said: “Residents are not happy and they want an eviction.”

Cllr Ben Grower said: “It’s a shame but the council is doing everything it can.”

Bournemouth Council said it is going to court for an eviction order today.

A council spokesman said they had received no complaints about the vehicles being driven around the play area and field.

The spokesman said: “The police and council staff are visiting and monitoring the site on a daily basis to ensure any additional disruption is kept to a minimum.”