A traveller encampment has now left Cintra Park after concerns were raised by a resident.

The park's gate locks were removed and possibly cut to gain entrance on Tuesday, according to the council.

A reported six caravans set up at the park, which is at the University of Reading, on Tuesday but have now left, with no sign remaining of their presence.

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A spokesman for Reading Borough Council (RBC) said on Tuesday: “We received a report this morning that six caravans are in Cintra Park.

"We will shortly visit the site with a view to starting the eviction process, which will involve waiting for a court date.

“In the meantime, people can report any instances of any anti-social behaviour to police on 101.

“On inspection we found that the lock on the Cintra Park gates had been removed and may have been cut.

“We have seen recent instances of locks and their protective steel devices being cut at this location."

Concern was raised by a Reading resident on Twitter, who said: "Travellers back in Cintra Park again. @ReadingCouncil not protecting tax payers from repeated incursions - now once a month.

"Already a public health issue with human waste evident."

He also called for the council to install a rising bollard to stop vehicles gaining entrance.

Green councillor David McElroy responded: "We've asked council for the rising bollard last time and I've raised it again this morning.

"Reading also desperately needs a suitable and permanent transit site in place as soon as possible."

 

Reading Chronicle: PICTURED: Cllr David McElroyPICTURED: Cllr David McElroy

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A spokesman for RBC said: “In light of recent illegal incursions, the council will be looking into additional solutions which are also practical in terms of allowing daily access for park maintenance vehicles.”

Back in April, the council's deputy leader Tony Page said RBC is looking for a transit site and will reveal its plans “fairly soon” at a 2021 local elections hustings on the environment.

Cllr Page said this would “hopefully allow the police to use enhanced powers which they currently can’t use because of the absence of a transit site”.

But he said the council would not be able to do “what is required” to meet the needs of the community without the co-operation of Wokingham and West Berkshire, who have much more open space to provide transit and permanent sites.