There was anger in Arbroath as a group of illegal Travellers pitched up at a local beauty spot.
The encampment of travelling people descended on Victoria Park which is a popular area for locals and tourists. Arbroath Community Council and the Taxpayers’ Alliance warned that any debris or damage would hurt the economy.
Community council chairman Ian Watson fears the Travellers will put off visitors.
He told The Courier: “In the past when illegal Travellers have congregated they have left behind a hell of a mess and the taxpayers foot the bill.
“The council is left to clear up the mess and law-abiding taxpayers can’t understand why they aren’t taken to court under fly-tipping laws.
“I’ve already been contacted by concerned members of the public and I would urge Angus Council to take action as quickly as possible to remove them.
“Victoria Park is a magnet for families on a sunny day like today and this is going to deter a lot of people from going down there.”
Four caravans, three cars and a van pitched up right in the middle of the large park on Thursday morning.
Mr Watson said: “It’s a fantastic beauty spot and most people in Arbroath would love to be able to take a caravan up there and pitch up for two weeks.
“These camps usually get bigger if they are not moved on immediately so the council must act quickly.”
The council has no powers to immediately move on an unauthorised encampment but in accordance with policy each one is monitored by the relevant agencies.
If it does not move on within agreed timescales the liaison group will agree what action is necessary.
Robert Oxley, campaign manager of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Clean-up bills for illegal sites fall on law abiding taxpayers while any damage to tourism will hurt the local economy.”
He said: “More needs to be done to ensure that the law cannot be simply ignored, but also that provisions are made for all sections of the community.
“Ultimately taxpayers are the biggest losers in this kind of dispute, avoiding it before it escalates is vital.”
A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “We are aware of the encampment at Victoria Park and will continue to monitor the situation in line with our policies and procedures.”
There are two authorised Travellers sites in the county at Balmuir Woods in Tealing and St Christopher’s in Montrose. Most of the pitches at Montrose are occupied by long-term tenants who have been there for several years.
The site in Montrose is currently full.
Travellers have previously set up camp illegally during the summer in Arbroath at Gayfield on the grass behind the football ground.
Last year an illegal camp threatened to take the shine off an Angus golf club’s 450th anniversary celebrations.
A 48-hour eviction notice was served on the encampment at Montrose Links which parked up opposite the entrance to the fifth-oldest golf course in the world.