(Image: Newsquest)
Travellers have moved off a Redcar football pitch... and set up camp just a mile away.
A convoy of around 12 caravans finally left Redcar Athletic’s ground today (August 13), having been lined up along the Coast Road fence since Sunday.
The encampment sparked the cancellation of all football games as a result - with reports also coming in from Sunday of vehicles doing ‘donuts’ on the land.
Now, after a court order was granted telling the travellers to leave by 12pm, the travellers have moved and set up on land just off Lorton Road, adjacent to the start of Redcar Racecourse.
This is just more than a mile away (1.14 miles), or 2.7 miles when following roads.
Redcar and Cleveland Council, which owns the land, said it is an "unacceptable location” and is preparing to issue the occupants with a ‘direction to leave’ land notice at 6pm.
They will have 24 hours to leave.
The Redcar Athletic encampment was one of two traveller convoys to move in on fields in Redcar this week, the second being on Kirkleatham Showground on Tuesday.
However, the group at the showground now appear to have left the area, with the council saying they have not joined up with the group that left Redcar Athletic.
The council said: “Further update on traveller encampments at Redcar Athletic Football Club and Kirkleatham Showground.
“Redcar Athletic Football Club: The group have moved and are now occupying land just off Lorton Road, adjacent to the starting point at Redcar Racecourse.
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“The land is owned by the council and is deemed to be an unacceptable location.
“The occupants will now be issued with a ‘Direction to Leave’ the land notice and given 24 hours to leave from 6pm tonight.
“Kirkleatham Showground: The group that were at the showground, appear to have left the area. They have not joined up with the group that left Redcar Athletic Football Club.”