Bollards have been placed along Canvey Island seafront in order to prevent people from camping caravans on the patch of green.

The bollards have been installed along the park on Western Esplanade and were placed there after travellers pitched up on the land for three to four days.

Two convoys of travellers parked up on the patch of green in front of the abandoned Admiral Jellicoe pub and along the seafront at the end of July, causing issues for residents and the businesses operating there.

Residents in the area voiced their concerns to the council, with seafront traders, such as the Welcome Hut cafe, complaining of how the presence of travellers had affected their business.

Spearheading the campaign to get the bollards installed was Canvey Island Independent Party councillor, Barry Campagna, who sympathised with seafront traders and has also advocated placing more restrictions on green areas in Canvey Island to prevent people from parking their caravans on them.

Councillor Campagna, said: "They were put there because travellers recently entered the site and stayed there for three or four days.

"It should make the area safe now.

"We need to look at any other vulnerable areas and look at putting provisions in there, and we need to support all seafront traders."

Castle Point Borough Council Leader, Colin Riley, also commented: “We are working hard to ensure that we avoid the chaos of the recent incursion onto our land at Canvey Island by installing additional barriers to stop vehicular access."

"At the same time we are making sure that we protect the overall appearance of our open green spaces by sympathetic use of materials.  "Yes we will secure the space but we will also avoid ruining the overall appearance of the seafront.

"Residents are our eyes and ears within the community and I would urge them to report any future issues to the Council who will act immediately.”