A ROW has erupted over how to stop travellers returning to camp at Ferndown Leisure Centre.

Councillor Steve Lugg believes the disruption caused last month when a dozen caravans pitched up in the centre’s carpark, which is shared by Ferndown Upper School, was “completely avoidable”.

Back in April, the King George V trustees, who own the land in Cherry Grove, acted on three years of complaints from residents and voted to spend around £18,000 putting in rising bollards to prevent unwanted people gaining access.

But after the council elections in May, a batch of new councillors reversed the decision. Cllr Lugg believes this goes against council rules that decisions can only be discussed again after six months.

And, after the latest traveller stay – the costs of which have not yet been determined – the town clerk issued a statement saying barriers would be installed.

Cllr Lugg said he was “saddened” by recent events and felt the proposals would tackle antisocial behiavour in the area, as well as the recurring traveller problem.

“As a councillor, I do not understand what my council is doing, so I’m reasonably sure the public don’t,” he told a full council meeting on Monday.

He added: “This omission will at best cost hundreds in remedial and cleaning costs, and more likely thousands.

“I do not feel the burden should fall upon the taxpayer given the members clearly voted to take mitigation methods months ago.”

Town clerk Ian Jones is seeking legal advice over reversing the decision.

He added that the estimate given in April was 18 months old, and so new quotes were requested, also looking at the possibility of buying gates.

Andy Lovering, Ferndown Leisure Centre manager, did not think rising bollards would have helped last month as the travellers turned up at 5.15pm, when the centre was still open.

Their week’s stay was a “nightmare” of intimidation for staff and customers on an hourly basis, he said.

“Having bollards up overnight would help stop people driving in overnight, and the antisocial behaviour associated with that,” he said.

“But there needs to be a law to prevent the illegal occupation of a public space.

“The police need powers to remove them quicker.”