Travellers leave Mellows Park after standoff (From Your Local Guardian)

Travellers leave Mellows Park in Wallington after standoff

11:40am Friday 27th July 2012 in Top Stories By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

Travellers were evicted from Mellows Park yesterday after a standoff with police and bailiffs.

They were given their notice on Wednesday but yesterday they began putting their children in their caravans and chaining things up in the early afternoon.

There were 13 vans, 26 adults and numerous children and dogs that were supposed to leave at midday but did not leave until 4.30pm.

Two youngsters watched on and clapped as the last caravan left the park.

The travellers have now moved to Beddington Park and the car park of Asda in Wallington. The council is beginning the legal process this morning.

Neighbours have reported music blaring late at night and travellers using the park as a racing track. They left behind rubbish including beer cans and nappies.

Sutton Council has now put temporary mounds of mud in place around Mellows Park to prevent the caravans driving on.

This is the third time in two months that travellers have come to Mellows Park.

Campaigner, Tracy Macheta, from Wallington, said: "They are just going from place to place.

"It's just the fact that it affects the enjoyment of the park.

"After being here the first time and being told to go they just keep going and coming back again.

"The residents involved in this will be taking part in the future with the Safer Neighbourhoods Committee.

"I'm pleased the council is taking action now - it’s just a shame it had to come to that.

"We appreciate the prompt response and hope the bunds [mounds of earth] are installed promptly.”

She added that she was grateful for the help of Bill Wyatt, assistant parks manager at Sutton Council.

Another park user, Katharyn Jones, from Wallington, said: "It does get used a lot by people.

"People come on and play cricket and football and have a picnic.”

She added that when the travellers arrived a lot of people won't come to the park - especially the elderly.