ESSEX’S Anglican and Catholic church leaders have united in a last-minute call to halt the eviction of 96 traveller families from Dale Farm.

Stephen Cottrell, the Church of England Bishop of Chelmsford, and Thomas McMahon, Roman Catholic Bishop of Brentwood, issued a joint statement highlighting their concerns over the upcoming eviction of the travellers at the Crays Hill site.

Travellers living on the illegal site have been told to leave by August 31 or face eviction.

The bishops said: “We are particularly concerned that breaking up this long-standing and close-knit community and its way of life will be a serious trauma for all concerned, and especially the children who have stability and support at the excellent Crays Hill Primary School that most of them attend.

“While we recognise that travellers, like others, are not above the law, nevertheless, half the Dale Farm site is already recognised as lawful and it would seem to the benefit of all to authorise the adjoining site rather than spend millions on eviction in these days of austerity and cutbacks.”

Basildon Council agreed earlier this year to spend up to £8million towards the eviction, which could cost up to £18million when police and other costs are added.

The bishops have pledged to visit the site on Tuesday, August 30, the day before the deadline runs out.

A spokesman for Basildon Council said: “No one wants a forced clearance of this site and we have spent ten years asking the travellers to work with us to seek a peaceful resolution.

“However, it is important to remember that Basildon Council has a policy to protect its green belt from inappropriate development and its actions at Dale Farm are a clear example of the law being applied equally and fairly to all people.

“If we do not take action in this case, we would have little moral right as a planning authority to take action against future unauthorised developments.

“That would set a very dangerous precedent.”