Travellers move off city golf course...and onto nearby park

The City of Wakefield Golf Club put out a statement yesterday saying they had taken the decision to close until the group had been moved on.

The police said they were powerless, and Wakefield Council needed time to prepare an eviction order.

However, the travellers apparently left the site last night of their own accord last night, but only went as far as Thornes Park.

They have parked up near the duck pond.

Glynn Humphries, Wakefield Council’s corporate director for communities, environment and climate change, said: “We are aware of an unauthorised encampment of travellers now at Thornes Park in one of the car parks.

“We have been out to the encampment at Thornes Park and have started new legal action. We are working to resolve the situation as soon as we can.

“This group had previously been at the City of Wakefield Golf Course and legal action was started to move them on.

"Unfortunately, we did have to temporarily close the course and its facilities yesterday due to difficulties with access to the site and maintaining the course. However, it has now reopened, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.”