Eastleigh paddling pool reopens after water was 'contaminated with human waste'

Fleming Park paddling pool was shut on Tuesday after Eastleigh Borough Council spotted travellers using it to wash. 

Human waste as well shampoo and shower gel were found in the water, according to a councillor.

Now the pool has been cleaned and travellers have left, the facility has reopened.

In a statement on its website, the council said: "We're pleased to announce, that following a contamination incident earlier this week, the popular paddling pool in Fleming Park, Eastleigh, has re-opened today (Wednesday 13 July).

"The news will be welcomed by local families as we head into a weekend where extremely hot weather is forecast. 

"The Borough Council team, working with our partners at Places Leisure Eastleigh, who oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility, have cleaned the pool and re-balanced the chemicals to ensure that it is safe to use." 

Unauthorised encampment behind Places Leisure in Eastleigh.

Forty vehicles and 35 caravans descended on land behind Places Leisure on Monday evening. 

Travellers remained on site despite requests to leave by both council officers and police.

They were eventually moved on by officers using special powers on Tuesday night. 

In a Facebook post shared before the travellers had gone, Eastleigh South councillor, Alex Bourne said: "Regretfully the paddling pool at Fleming Park has just had to be closed. 

"The water is contaminated with human waste and shower gel/shampoo.

"The pool has to be drained - refilled and the chemicals allowed to balance. 

"Unfortunately this process can't begin until all people have left the pool which they are refusing to do."

READ MORE: 

• Travellers set up camp with more than 30 caravans near Places Leisure in Eastleigh
• Eastleigh paddling pool closed after travellers seen 'washing in it'

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: "Officers from across Hampshire Constabulary have this evening utilised their powers under Section 61 to move on a large unauthorised encampment from Places Leisure, Eastleigh.

"Following reports of significant disruption to the local community and local amenities officers worked in partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council to invoke Operation Quebec.

"Significant Police and partnership resources were invested in to the operation which resulted in all vehicles and caravans being moved from the site this evening without incident."

A new unauthorised encampment has since been set up at Nursling Recreation Ground, but it is not known at this stage whether this is the same group. 

The incident comes after council leader Keith House spoke out about the "expensive legal process" to remove travellers. 

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