INCREASED security measures at a country park have been ruled out, despite an illegal traveller encampment pitching up.
A group of around 10 caravans arrived at the Cherry Orchard Country Park in Rochford on Sunday, allegedly breaking a barrier to gain access to the car park.
The latest incursion is the third in three years.
However, council bosses are not planning to install extra measures at the entrance to the car park, with the height barrier deemed sufficient.
It comes despite pressure to put in place bollards which can rise from the ground after the car park closes at night.
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Michael Hoy, Green councillor of the Hullbridge ward, said: “It’s an acceptance now, from both the travellers and the council, that this happens every year.
“We need more measures to stop unauthorised access onto sites like these. It’s a constant reoccurance.
“Rising and falling bollards are a method that would help. There has to a balance between putting measures in place and putting people off coming to the park.”
The council has started legal proceedings to remove the travellers off the car park.
Cheryl Roe, deputy leader of Rochford Council, said: “We can’t put more measures in there. How can you put bollards in if people need to park there?
“As soon as the travellers arrived, we visited, and they were as good as gold. It was all calm.”
Several vehicles were also pictured parked alongside the caravans.
Julie Gooding, chairman of the council, added: “They’ve been there a few times now. It appears that the barrier had been broken for them to gain access.
“It’s difficult to install more measures, especially bollards, with emergency access needed to get onto the site.”
The Essex County Traveller Unit is expected to serve a direction to leave notice today.
A spokesman from Rochford Council, said: “Rochford Council was made aware that an unauthorised encampment had moved onto the car-park at Cherry Orchard Country Park. Rochford Council sent an officer and found that 10 caravans had moved into the car park.”
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