Park users campaign to protect land from travellers (From Your Local Guardian)

Campaign to protect Mellows Park from travellers

7:40am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Top Stories By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

Park users are celebrating after councillors agreed to prevent travellers returning to a site in Wallington.

An influx of travellers arrived in the borough at the end of May settling in various parks including Beddington Park, Roundshaw Park and Mellows Park, Wallington.

The council followed legal procedures, including social services visiting the encampments and serving them notices.

After much frustration, rubbish being left in parks, loud music and being woken up in the early hours of the morning, Mellows Park users requested Sutton Council take preventative measures to stop it from happening again.

On Thursday, July 5, they received victory at the Beddington and Wallington Local Committee when councillors agreed funding for preventative measures to be taken to protect the park.

Tracy Macheta lives near the park and said: "People were really concerned.

"Everyone you spoke to in the park was furious.

"I’ve pushed for this for some time. We are very pleased that the Beddington and Wallington Local Committee has agreed to our request for preventative measures."

Councillor Joyce Melican, Chairman of Beddington and Wallington Local Committee, said: “Residents and council staff are looking at what the options are.

“We need to strike a balance between security and making the park a welcoming place."