A GROUP of travellers has been moved on from a Basildon park by the council and police.

Basildon Council and Essex Police delivered a court order for the travellers on Rushley Park to move on.

The 20 caravans and vans arrived gradually throughout last week, but residents said that living near the camp had been a “nightmare”.

One resident of the nearby Burnt Mills Road, who did not wish to be named, said: “We have had to call the fire service out several times over the weekend because they keep lighting fires.

“I don’t know what they were burning but the fires were huge and the smoke was horrendous.

“There are quite a lot of houses along here and we couldn’t open our windows over the weekend.

“The park is in a disgusting state - they have left so much rubbish.

“It is awful.

“A lot of people like to use the park and it is popular with dog owners, but no one wanted to go there with the travellers there.”

A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue confirmed they had been called to the camp over the weekend, but the fires had been under control and the firefighters were not needed.

Kevin Blake, deputy leader of Basildon Council, said: “The police served a Section 61 order over at Rushley Park, which meant that the travellers had to leave by 10am yesterday.

“It’s a massive success for the council and the residents because I have had so many people ringing me with issues to do with antisocial behaviour.

“The fire brigade was also called to the site over the weekend.

“It’s great to see that the police have taken action because there were so many complaints.

“I went over there to see for myself and the mess is unbelievable.

“Our team will have to clean that up and that will just cost the taxpayer more money.”

A spokesman from Basildon Council said: “Following a joint operation yesterday by the police and Basildon Council in response to reports from residents, the travellers have vacated the site and a clean-up operation is currently being undertaken by Basildon Council officers.”