ACTION to move a group of travellers from public land has been branded “absolutely ridiculous” after they simply moved onto land next door.

As previously reported the group of travellers pitched up on a field next to Bitterne Park Primary School last week, forcing school leaders to cancel sports day rehearsals.

But despite this weekend having been served a section 61 notice by Hampshire police, which allows officers to ask travellers to move on, Southampton City Council yesterday had to serve their own notice to the travellers after they moved off the field and into the nearby Riverside Park.

A council spokesperson said: “The travellers have no legal right to be on the land and the council will be serving the travellers a notice this afternoon. If they fail to comply with the notice by tomorrow the council will be issuing court proceedings as a matter of urgency to regain possession.”

Now Bitterne Park councillor David Fuller has said the section 61 notice should relate to all public land.

He said: “It’s the same piece of ground, it’s all a piece of public land. The section 61 should cover all of the land. It’s absolutely ridiculous.”

He added he was concerned about the “impact” it could have on Riverfest - a community festival set to take place on May 27.

But just days before the one-day event - which aims to celebrate the Itchen and Riverside Park and is partnered with Southampton Sailing Week - organiser Catherine Wright said the travellers’ presence won’t be an issue.

She said: “We have plans in hand to accommodate the camp if the families are still in the park. I can categorically say that Riverfest will have no time for any anti-traveller nonsense. "

However angry parents Bitterne Park Primary School pupils took to social media to vent their frustration.

One parent said: “I think it’s shameful. Riverside is a beautiful place. The council work hard to maintain it so the thought of travellers ruining the pitches and treating it like it's just another "camp" is disgusting."

A spokesperson for Bitterne Park Primary School confirmed the sports day would go ahead as planned on Wednesday.