Travellers on Redcar field threatened with legal action

The encampment of around 12 caravans finally left Redcar Athletic’s ground on Thursday (August 13) but relocated to a field off Lorton Road shortly after. 

The convoy now remains parked on the council-owned land, which is adjacent to the start of Redcar Racecourse, and has been issued a ‘direction to leave’.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said that, despite the notice being issued yesterday, the group remain on the land. If the travellers fail to move, legal proceedings will begin next week. 

A spokesperson said: “The group who were previously at Redcar Athletic Football Club have moved to land just off Lorton Road, adjacent to the starting point at Redcar Racecourse.

“The land is owned by the council and is deemed to be an unacceptable location. The occupants were issued with a ‘direction to leave’ the land notice yesterday.

“If they fail to vacate the site legal proceedings will commence at the beginning of next week to move the group on.

“Redcar and Cleveland Council follow the same process, in dealing with encampments on land deemed to be an unacceptable location, as all other local authorities.”

Football games were cancelled when the travellers arrived at Redcar Athletic last Sunday, with reports soon following of vehicles “doing donuts” on the land. 

A court order was granted telling the group to leave and they did, but only around a mile away to a new patch of land. 

It was one of two encampments in the town set up this week, the second being on Kirkleatham Showground on Tuesday. This group has since appeared to have left the area.