A TRAVELLERS camp caused disruption at St. John’s Primary School and has local residents in uproar as the council look to move them on as quick as possible. 

The camp was reported to have arrived just before the weekend in what was a busy time in South Ayrshire with The Open being contested at Royal Troon.

Local residents were not pleased with the camp and have expected more from the council to protect public land. 

One resident said: “They’ve been here since the start of the weekend. I don’t even know who to contact about to stop this, I know they are only allowed so long.

“I don’t know, I think it’s the law the council can’t do much due to the human rights act. I know they are only allowed to be here for so long and then they have to move after a court order. This has never happened before and I have lived here for over 30 years. It’s never happened, they just come in mass. I mean they had their washing hanging on the park railings.  

“I’ve heard they are going to Bannatyne’s gym to get washed. Where are their toilets? Where are they disposing of their rubbish? It just isn’t right.

That play park is for us. For the kids. There is a skate park there also, and nobody has been on it. That is for us, local people, not for them. I think it’s terrible.”

This local resident also believed the council could do more for not protecting the land against the use of traveller camps. The resident continued: “They have to put a gate up.

"They have a gate there but its open, that isn’t going to stop them coming in. We need some sort of security. Obviously it would have to be left open for the school and the racecourse.  

"The only thing I could suggest, is put a gate up that would be locked at night. Something like that, I don’t know what you would to stop it, they are everywhere. The place is jam packed. It’s a disgrace.” 

Another resident in the area voiced their discontent at the travellers camping at the local primary school.

They said: “I am not happy at all, you save up to buy a good house, buy in a good neighbourhood, and then that happens? I’ve actually been on the phone this morning with the council to ask what they are doing about it.“ 

South Ayrshire Council Head of Neighbourhood Services, Mike Newell said: “The travellers don’t have permission to be there and we are going through all appropriate channels to remove them. I can confirm that legal action is underway.”  

The council also confirmed that no complaints have been made regarding the travellers from local residents.  

The travellers have now been spotted at the Oval in Prestwick. More details to follow in next week's paper.