CONCERNED residents have called for the Borough of Poole (BOP) to take action to stop travellers getting onto Canford Cliffs' Beach Road car park.

Around 20 caravans and associated vehicles moved only moved off Beach Road car park, Canford Cliffs, on Friday, after arriving the previous week.

They left behind tonnes of rubbish, including piles of soil, rubble and a battered caravan which all needed to be cleaned away by council workers

Some residents are calling for the borough to look into the possibility of installing CCTV cameras, height and width restrictions at the site.

Campaigner Terry Stewart, who is chairman of the Poole Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) group, said he was aware of residents' concerns and their calls for barriers at the site.

He added: "About three or four years ago we had just ten caravans turn up, and it took a while to get rid of them. They left five tonnes of rubbish and spoil, we were absolutely furious.

"We've battled for years to try and get the council to improve the car park. There were hardly any signs to show the public there was a car park there at all.

"If the bushes and shrubs on the edge were cut back it would also be less hidden away, less attractive to travellers."

Towards the end of 2016 a member working party was established to review the council's policy and practice in dealing with unauthorised encampments in Poole, said BOP team manager Jeff Morley.

He added: "This will include the possible use of extra security measures to make it harder for unauthorised vehicles to access individual sites.

"All our parks and open spaces still require to be available for their intended use and access to be available for emergency services, maintenance vehicles and people with disabilities.

"The working party report will be considered by place overview and scrutiny committee in the coming months, with work on recommendations agreed following."

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