Travellers in camper vans have occupied a greenspace in Reading for the first time ‘in living memory’, according to neighbours.
The Foxhays Road green is a circular patch of green space in Whitley which is bounded by Hawkchurch Road.
Two camper vans were spotted on the scene at around 3pm today (Wednesday, August 19).
A neighbour who did not wish to be named said: “It’s the first time in living memory!
“A resident has approached them and was told they can stay there for three weeks, and they have told all their mates to come and join them.
“Local residents fear the worst!
“This is the first time they’ve been on the green. I asked Reading Borough Council to install measures to stop them occupying it, but the council say they don’t have the money.
“A couple of years ago, people were riding quad bikes on the green, and they left tyre tracks a foot deep.”
A young man who was walking to shops stated that the group have been at the green for a few days.
He said: “They [Travellers] used to occupy John Rabson Recreation Ground a lot.”
The ground is nearby in Northumberland Avenue, immediately neighbouring the South Reading Leisure Centre.
A young couple were seen walking from the shops into one of the camper vans.
Another young neighbour stated a Thames Valley Police officer had engaged with the people in the vans, and could return if more people arrive.
He said: “I’ve lived here 11 years and I’ve never seen them on the green.”
The man who reported the incursion also said a council officer had asked them to leave.
Councils can seek eviction orders to compel people who have set up unauthorised encampments to leave public land.
This can be done after an initial visit, and officers must assess the human rights and welfare needs of the people in the encampment (such as health, education, and pregnancy) before taking action.
The situation is complicated as the council does not have any designated permanent or transit traveller sites providing an appropriate place for families to temporarily occupy.
Although a plan was approved by the council for seven Traveller pitches and ancillary facilities in Island Road in October 2022, this project was scrapped due to the risk of flooding in 2024.
Neighbouring Wokingham Borough Council has two designated sites at Twyford Orchards and Carters Hill, situated near Billingbear and Binfield.
The advocacy organisation ‘Friends, Families and Travellers’ has documented Traveller families facing difficulties with achieving planning permission to live on land that they own.
Advice from the organisation can be found on its website.
