TRAVELLERS have caused concern in the Canvey community after they pitched up on an island nature reserve.

At least three caravans have been parked up on the land owned by Essex County Council in Roscommon Way since Sunday.

Officers from Essex County Council have served them a ‘direction to leave’ notice and it is expected that they will move on in the coming days.

However, islanders are concerned about the amount of rubbish piling up around the caravans - including even fridge freezers - and where the travellers will go to next.

Councillor Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, claimed that the travellers had even cut a lock to gain access to the land.

He said: “It’s been a nightmare and a completely ridiculous situation. They have been hanging around since Sunday.

“At first, the county council was saying that they couldn’t get them off because it was private land, but it belongs to Essex County Council.

“The travellers cut the padlock off to get in - they have committed criminal damage.

“They are close to residents’ properties and the residents living there are not very happy at all.

“They are on a nature reserve and will end up covering the place in rubbish.

“I think that we need to put in a height restriction barrier on the gate but unfortunately local authorities are battling travellers left right and centre.

“It’s frustrating and it puts everyone on edge.”

Veteran Canvey councillor Ray Howard feared that the travellers would move onto private land on Canvey.

He said: “Last night, we saw one of the travellers’ vehicles going down Northwick Road.

“We were worried that they were going to pitch up on land down there and then we wouldn’t be able to get them off.

“We stood with farmers and residents who live down there and stood at the gate. They could have gone onto Canvey Wick or the cemetery.”

A 33-year-old woman, who keeps horses at a stables off Roscommon Way, said: “They have dumped a load of fridge freezers behind the caravans.

“They are causing havoc.

“I have been riding my horses in the nature reserve as normal and they have got their dogs running out in front of the horses.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “We are aware that a group of travellers have arrived in land near Roscommon Way, Canvey.

“We have served them with a ‘Direction to Leave’ notice on Wednesday, and expect them to move on in the coming days.”

Anyone with information or concerns about the travellers can call Essex County Council on 0345 603 7624.