CAR PARKS across Christchurch were heavily fortified last night amid fears that travellers camped at a town centre sports ground might move to a new site in the borough during the night.

For six weeks the travellers' camp in the arena behind 2Riversmeet sports centre has been dogged with controversy, sparking scores of complaints from residents about noise, mess, petty crime and the loss of local amenities.

The deadline for their departure expired today and at 10am officers from the borough council went back to court to seek an eviction order, giving them the power to remove any caravans that failed to comply.

To prevent the travellers moving to another site in the borough last night the council used wooden pallets topped with concrete kerbstones to block the entrance to it's six main car parks at 7pm.

Security officers in vans were also drafted in to block the exits and only rolled aside to let people with cars trapped in the car parks leave.

A council spokesman said: "In readiness for the travellers moving on the council has undertaken measures borough-wide. Some of these may lead to some inconveniences to residents but as many of those potentially affected have been notified.

"We apologise to anyone adversely affected by this, but hope that they understand we need to take measures in the short term to prevent further encampments within the borough."

The council's recreation officer Gary Foyle explained that the council already has defensive measures on its land, but after its experiences this summer would be looking to improve these with height restrictions and barriers.

"The council is very sensitive to this issue and wants to stop this from happening again," he said.

On Bank Holiday Monday more than 1,000 people in Christchurch signed a petition calling for a change in the law to give council's more power to evict unwanted travellers.

First published: Sept 1