Road to nowhere

It was billed as a dry run for the eviction of Europe’s largest Travellers site, but when the end came for the occupants of four private yards at the Hovefields site in Basildon, Essex, it was no dress rehearsal. After 12 years living on her own land, Eileen Casey and her extended family was forced out onto the roads of Britain. Among them were 4 small children, one with special needs and a heavily pregnant woman.

Last month, Basildon District Council gave those living on the greenbelt site at Hovefields Drive in Basildon 28 days to leave the camp. On Tuesday, the council began work to clear seven unauthorised pitches from the site.

The travellers then moved to nearby land, where they were then served with a section 61 notice by Essex Police which forces them to move or face having their homes and vehicles confiscated.

Civil Rights campaigner Gratton Puxon, said: "We're very alarmed by this. We hope people will have some sympathy with families who look like being put out and have nowhere to go."

Basildon Council leader Tony Ball said: "This action, which is supported by the courts, is the final part of a legal process which has lasted many years.

"The council has done all it can to encourage the travellers to vacate voluntarily. However, Basildon Council has an obligation to protect its greenbelt from unauthorised development."

The evicted families were evicted a total of three times by Essex Police, forcing them out of the county they have called home.

A film about their treatment by Essex Police and the Homes Communities Agency is below: