TRAVELLERS have returned to Beeches Car Park in Cirencester.

This is not the first time caravans have appeared at the council-run space off Beeches Road, and it has provoked a strong response in the past.

However, some have suggested they may be on the way to the Stow Fair, which begins next week on May 12.

There is also some suggestion that much-need car parking spaces are being taken up.

Cotswold District Council tweeted that they are taking legal action to resolve the situation as soon as possible and "Whilst travellers are occupying the Beeches car park, season ticket holders are welcome to use the Waterloo car park instead."

A spokesman told the Standard: "Council officers have already visited the car park and they are now preparing evidence which will be served, along with the existing injunction, requiring the travellers to move on."

CDC Lib Dem leader Joe Harris called on the council to find official sites for travellers to park: "All I'd say is that CDC need to take some action on traveller sites. It's a very sensitive issue but we need a solution or they are going to keep turning up in car parks and sports pitches.

"I think this is the third time in a year travellers have turned up. We don't tend to have any trouble, but it's not acceptable just pulling up in a car park. First of all there's the spaces lost then there is often mess left."

But not everyone sees it a a problem.

Erika Mcgrath, 31, of Burge Court, Cirencester, said: “I don’t know why people have to be so judgemental. Leave them be, they're human beings. Probably cleaner and tidier than a lot in this town too! “I just wish people would stop treating travellers as if they were animals - they aren't causing any physical harm to anyone.”

Do you have a view on this story? Contact jpi@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk.