PLANS to install concrete bollards at the entrance of a rugby pitch in Burtonwood, which was recently used as a camp site by travellers, have been given the green light to go ahead.

An emergency meeting of the Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council was called last week to discuss concerns raised in the wake of the travellers moving on to the rugby pitch.

During the meeting it was ruled the preventive measures would be necessary to protect the field.

Chairman of the council Cllr Kevin Burgess said: “We have decided as an interim measure to put up bollards.

“We will be writing to residents about our plans and we will review it in six months time.

“We hope this will stop travellers from parking up the site and ruining this community asset.

“There was a huge clean-up operation after they left – you would not believe the state it was left in.

“Even human waste had been left there for others to clean up.”

Two week ago, many residents spoke of their fears that the pitch would be destroyed after around four caravans parked up on the site off Fir Tree Lane.

Not only was the site unusable as a playing field but vehicles were cutting up the grass causing further damage.

Council clerk Julie Pickles wrote to residents to assure them that the parish council was working to remove the unauthorised traveller encampment.

On July 25, the group were served with an order for them to leave the Fir Tree Lane grounds by July 26 at 1pm but this was ignored.

The travellers originally said that they would leave the grounds on July 28 but, as this was not guarantee, a hearing was set at Halton Magistrates’ Court on July 30.

The travellers left the site on evening of July 29, the Warrington Guardian understands.

Cllr Burgess added: “I want to assure residents that we understand their concerns and we have acted to stop future groups from destroying this area and costing the community more money.”

The new bollards are expected to be installed this month.