THERE was an angry reaction in the Bellyeoman area after travellers again arrived at the Robertson Road football park, months after the council had agreed to put up barriers to keep them out.

The travellers have been regular visitors to the car park but are not welcome back with local residents accusing them of leaving a mess every time they come.

Wilma Allday, chairperson of Bellyeoman Community Council, said, “The travellers were there twice at the end of last year. After that we asked Fife Council to put up a barrier to stop them going on there and they said they would.

“We’ve chased the council all summer to get this done and on Thursday of last week they came and they put up one pole, which looks like it’s the first part of the barrier. Then on Saturday the travelling people arrived.

“Fife Council have just done up that football park, putting new drainage in it. They’ve mended all the wire fencing around it and they’ve allocated it out to two football teams for youngsters, one from this area and one from Kingseat.

“Last night (Tuesday) I went along and there was an under-15s football match on and there were quite a few parents watching.” Mrs Allday said on walking through the car park she found dirty toilet paper lying on the ground and “the place was stinking”.

She continued, “This is what we had the last time they were here. When they left there was dirty toilet paper left lying all over the place. They just use the bushes to do the toilet next to where these young kids are playing football.

“There are four caravans, three or four lorries, two or three vans. We’re really, really angry about all this. The council took away the recycling facilities from there two or three months ago in anticipation of the barriers going up because the dustbin lorries won’t be able to get in.

“The place was looking great. They’d cleaned up the car park after the last lot of mess and we had teams playing football there, which is what the place is meant to be for.

“It’s a lovely park also used by local people walking their dogs and now we’re back to this mess.” Lesley Corio, Fife Council travelling persons site manager, said, “We found out on Monday that a camp had been set up in Robertson Road car park over the weekend. I’ve met with the families and after a discussion we agreed that a seven-day stay would be appropriate on this occasion.

“No court action will be taken during this time. We have also arranged for the council to uplift any domestic refuse before they leave to help keep the car park tidy.

“The council has plans to install a barrier across the entrance to Robertson Road car park but nothing is in place yet. In common with all other local authorities in Scotland and in line with Scottish Government equalities recommendations we are actively looking to identify and develop additional seasonal camp sites for gypsy travellers to complement our existing provision.”