TRAVELLERS who moved on to fields at Lydiard Park last week have moved on, leaving human excrement and the wreckage of a car behind them.

The group, who had told police and council officials they were heading to Stow Horse Fair, failed to leave the beauty spot at the weekend, so were issued with a trespass notice and a 3pm deadline on Monday.

One resident, who walks his dog in the area regularly, contacted the Advertiser in disgust at the filth left behind.

“Down the fence line there is a whole line of human excrement,” he said. “It is quite appalling what has gone on there.”

Tim Swinyard, who represents Lydiard on Swindon Borough Council, said a team of workers started the clean-up operation as soon as the travellers left on Monday evening and carried on the following morning.

“It is very frustrating. Unfortunately our hands are very much tied by the law.” But he said: “The team from the council have done a brilliant job, acting so quickly.”

He also praised Wiltshire Police for its support.

Attempting to prosecute the travellers for leaving the mess was difficult. However he added: “The human excrement is frankly disgusting.”

The encampment of eight caravans and two horse boxes appeared last Wednesday night in the rough grazing area near football pitches on the Hook Street side, prompting complaints on social media from local people.

Council staff had been promised the group would be staying until Saturday, but it wasn’t until Monday that they finally left after a warning that the police would be called to move them on.

“I sympathise with residents who are frustrated with it, but I think we should recognise the incredible work that the team has done to get on there and tidy up so quickly,” said Coun Swinyard.

“The biggest concern for me, because of the amount of people that walk their dogs and children there, is that human excrement has serious risks.”

He accepted there was concern at the apparent ease with which the travellers had moved onto the land.

“We do try to ensure it is well protected, but it is impossible to say that travellers will never get on it again.” However he did think a review was possible. “What I would really like to see is what we can do in the future not just to prevent, but to prosecute for offences such as the mess that has been left behind.”

At the same time, when the groups were moved on the problem moved with them – sometimes to another part of the town. “It is just incredibly difficult.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “Council officers worked closely with Wiltshire Police to ensure the travellers left Lydiard without incident, although the group did leave behind some items.

“Our environmental cleansing and envirocrime team cleared away any outstanding litter relatively quickly this morning, while we also ensured that the abandoned car that was left at the site was removed by mid-afternoon.”