TRAVELLERS were ordered to leave a common area with residents complaining about bonfires and horse “whoopsies”.
More than 20 vehicles, including cars and caravans, had been parked at Bickerley Common in Ringwood since last Tuesday, June 13.
Residents reported animal droppings, litter and bonfires left by the group.
Earlier today, a New Forest District Council spokesperson said following a hearing [on Wednesday] morning at Southampton Magistrates' Court, under Section 78, Criminal Justice & Public Order Act 1994, the courts granted an order for the removal of persons and vehicles from the land occupied at Bickerley Common.
New Forest District Council officers served this order on all those present and said they are required to comply with the order within 24 hours.
Giving an update on Thursday afternoon, a New Forest District Council spokesperson said: “New Forest District Council issued directions to leave and all persons have complied and vacated Bickerley Green. New Forest District Council and town council staff remain on site.”
Council officers will continue to engage with all persons on site, they added.
Ringwood resident Robert Forrester-Addie described the delays in moving the group on as “outrageous”.
“If I took my tent down to the Bickerley Common in Ringwood, I'm sure someone from the council would come along and turf me off,” the 83-year-old said.
“But not the Travellers, whose horses spread their whoopsies around where lots of visitors like to sit for picnics.
“What makes them so special that it has to take an age to get them to move on? Plus the cost of clearing up after them. It’s outrageous.”
Ringwood Town Council recently confirmed it would use soil banks to deter unauthorised encampments from entering beauty spot Poulner Lakes after years of trouble.
Mounds of soil have been used as an anti-trespass measure elsewhere.
BCP Council recently placed soil at the entrance to the disused Creekmoor park and ride site in Poole after several unauthorised encampments were reported using the land.
Traveller advocate Betty Smith-Billington has previously said using mounds of soil to keep the community from entering private land was a waste of money and called for more designated Traveller transit sites in the region.
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