Hove park to get new security measures after Traveller encampment - Sussex

From the Argus

New security measures will be put in place around the entrance to a park to prevent caravans and trailers from entering.

Brighton and Hove City Council is spending £2,500 on steel and concrete bollards to restrict access to Greenleas playing fields in Hove.

The work is expected to begin within the next few days.

The bollards will be removable to allow council vehicles to enter the park for maintenance.

The move comes just weeks after the arrival of ten Traveller vehicles disrupted a football match.

The encampment lasted for almost a fortnight before the group moved on to a nearby supermarket car park.

Hangleton and Knoll councillor Dawn Barnett said: “Residents are very pleased about this and it will give them peace of mind knowing that Travellers will not be able to get back on to the park.

"They were frightened while the camp was here this month.”

Coun Barnett added residents were frustrated that no council officials attended a meeting with residents and police on Wednesday night to discuss the Traveller situation, and has called on council leader Jason Kitcat and envi¬ ronment committee leader Pete West to meet residents.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: “This meeting was arranged by the police, for them to meet residents.

“The council was invited later at short notice and unfortunately neither of the Traveller liaison team managers was able to go due to prior commitments, though a ward councillor did attend.”