Nottingham City Council says further works are planned in The Meadows as part of efforts to stop traveller groups occupying football pitches near the embankment.
On Monday (September 22) a small traveller group gained access to the football pitches on The Meadows Recreation Ground, behind the War Memorial at Victoria Embankment on the banks of the River Trent
City Council officers acted quickly, engaging with the encampment the following Tuesday morning (September 23) where the group was served a notice to leave by the authority – the site was vacated by 2pm on Tuesday.
The site has previously been easily accessible off Wilford Grove with little vehicle restriction to the fields but the council says it has recently carried out works.
A City Council spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday (September 26): “The Council has recently carried out works on the embankment to restrict vehicle access, including installing bollards and increasing banking along the Wilford Grove boundary.”
The authority says “further improvements” are planned for the site to restrict access but did not disclose what these are at this stage.
Meadows ward councillor, Michael Edwards (Lab) told the local democracy reporting service today (September 26) the encampment was dealt with “much quicker than usual”.
He said there are usually around two encampments each year at the site but this year there has been more.
He said; “We’ve put a number of hardening systems in, including banks, that make it difficult for cars to travel across… there’s more to be done.”
A bank has been put around the eastern side, along Wilford Grove and along the embankment carriageway.
He said: “We’re making it harder for people to stay on site, that’s why there’s been meetings to increase wardens. I know the portfolio holder has been having a meeting with staff – people know that more needs to be done.”
The Robin Hood Half Marathon takes place this weekend on Sunday, September 28, where the route starts and finishes at the Victoria Embankment, including the recreation ground.
The council spokesperson confirmed: “The build for the Robin Hood Marathon this weekend was unaffected whilst the encampment was on site.”
