A group of Travellers “forcibly cut locks” to access a Reading car park and set up an illegal encampment, according to the council

A total of 13 caravans parked in Hills Meadow car park, Caversham, on January 16, and were issued with a notice to leave the site.

Reading Borough Council have been granted a court hearing on Friday (February 11) in an attempt to evict the Travellers.

A spokesperson for the council said: “They were quickly issued notice to leave the site and the Council has now been granted a hearing date by the courts.

“We hope to be able to progress eviction soon afterwards.”

Read more: Malnourished dog found tied to tyre by wire without food or water at encampment

The car park, next to Christchurch Meadows, was also the site of an unauthorised Traveller encampment in October, when 18 caravans parked there.

The latest annual report produced by Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT) stated “the vast majority of people living on unauthorised encampments have no other place to go.”

Research undertaken by the group in 2021 showed there were only 13 permanent sites and five transit sites with any available pitches in England, but 1696 households were on a waiting list.

Last month, Reading Borough Council submitted a plan for a Traveller site next to the Reading Sewage and Treatment Works in Island Road.

The site would give temporary users a place to stay, with seven pitches provided.

Anyone staying at the site would be able to make use of a toilet, sink and a shower contained in four modular buildings.

The area will have an outdoor seating area and play area for children.

The plan for the site is a joint venture between Reading Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.