A GROUP of travellers has moved on to a former military site after being evicted from another park just a few miles down the road.

The nine caravans pitched up at Gunners Park off New Barge Pier Road, Shoebury, on Saturday morning after being forced to leave Cherry Orchard Park in Rochford - just eight miles away.

The caravan encampment, which had been at the beauty spot in Rochford since August 18, was given a two-day extension to an eviction court order due to family circumstances.

Tory councillor Mark Flewitt said: “There are travellers at Gunners Park in Shoebury and the authorities have been alerted.

"It all points to the fact something needs to be done once and for all.

“People don’t want travellers in their community. I also think it’s agony for the traveller community too as they keep moving about.”

Fellow Tory councillor and shadow cabinet member for community safety for Southend Council Dan Nelson said residents might be concerned.

He said: “I know the council is aware of this and working on the situation.

"My view is we need an injunction to protect our borough and open space from this sort of thing.

“I do not want to blanket all travellers the same but when some come to our borough, they cause issues.

“We have had issues such mess left at the Snakes Lane encampment. It does worry residents and I hope the police and council use their powers to do what they can.

“I’ve been told it’s the same group which was at Cherry Orchard Park in Rochford.”

The encampment in Rochford was originally ordered to leave by 11.30am on Thursday after a notice was served from the courts.

But after a “hospital related issue” arose, Rochford District Council said the group was given until 10am on Saturday to move on from the car park.

Back in June, a group pitched up in a green space off Snakes Lane in Eastwood, and Southend Council was reportedly putting in place plans to provide running water to the travellers, if one of the group tested positive for coronavirus.

Residents and councillors had expressed anger at the travellers, who were on the site for at least two weeks, after several reported incidents of anti-social behaviour, including late-night parties, public urination and dumping human waste in the bins on the recreation ground.

Essex Police also launched an investigation at the site after a woman reported receiving a death threat from one of the travellers and having a chair thrown at her.

A Southend Council spokesman said: “We were made aware this morning of an unauthorised encampment of nine caravans at Gunners Park.

"We are working closely with Essex Police to move them on.”

Essex Police has been contacted for comment.