We understand from the Council’s parks officers that the travellers have now left the High Street car park site at lunchtime today 25th May 2012 and that it is now being cleaned up by the Council staff.

Cllr. Jill Whitehead, Chair of Environment and Neighbourhood Committee on Sutton Council, said:

“At this time of year Sutton’s 80 parks and open spaces are a place for families to relax in peace and quiet.  We respect the travellers’ way of life but nobody wants to see illegal camps, litter, noise or intimidation.  

“Accordingly we take this issue very seriously and we’ve been working with the Police & the Courts so illegally camped travellers leave public land via the proper legal process.  Our staff have also been making sure that everything’s left clean and tidy.

 “The legalities take a few days so prevention is better than cure.  But in this instance padlocks have been broken and although additional bollards are part of the solution, we need to balance security with heritage and beauty.”