TOUGH new security measures have been installed at the entrances to a Wraxall park - in a bid to stop travellers setting up camp there

TOUGH new security measures have been installed at the entrances to a Wraxall park - in a bid to stop travellers setting up camp there.Council chiefs have installed heavy duty bollards at the entrances to the recreation area at The Elms, off Lodge Lane to prevent travellers getting onto the playing fields.The move comes after a convoy of about 13 caravans moved onto the recreation field last July, staying 10 days and leaving a trail of devastation behind them.The travellers caused chaos at the playing fields, covering it with human faeces and toilet roll and leaving excrement on pathways, in hedges and smeared across the children's play equipment.Trees had also been cut down with piles of branches and brush left across the site and fences damaged.Bags of rubbish had also been left across the field and dogs allowed to foul on the grass.The site at Wraxall, which cost £2,500 to clean up, was one of 10 which had to be cleared across North Somerset last year following traveller encampments.North Somerset Council installed removable bollards at the entrance to the play park shortly after the travellers left in a bid to block further encampments.But following pressure from local residents and Councillor Bob Cook, the security has now been upgraded.Cllr Cook said: "The council did act quickly and installed bollards shortly after the travellers vacated the site."However, they were removable bollards were quite lightweight and I was concerned they could be moved."We certainly do not want a repeat of last year."This group left the area in a disgusting mess and really upset the local residents."North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said the authority had received a request to look at ways of improving security around the area.North Somerset Council spokesman Nick Yates said: "We have upped security measures around the site."We have installed a five bar steel gate at the entrance to the field and have put two steel chains with heavy duty padlocks."In front of the gate we have now installed a heavy duty telescopic bollard."In addition we have also installed heavy duty bollards at other entrances to the site to ensure there is no vehicular access.