A PUBLIC meeting has been called over plans to prevent travellers setting up camp on a Southampton green.

The proposals to restrict vehicle access to Freemantle Common, in Peartree, have just been drawn up.

Peartree Community Action Forum chairman David Brown said travellers had been a persistent problem on the common over the last two years.

He said: "It is a concern to local residents that they have found fairly easy access to Freemantle Common. There has to be vehicle access to that green to organisations like the gas and electricity companies, but we need to deter the travellers.

"The common is not only used by people to walk their dogs, but also as a playground for youngsters. If a dozen caravans are on it, then that facility is taken away from them."

Mr Brown said travellers last occupied the site for a few weeks last summer.

City council grounds and trees team leader, Jeremy Hill, said a public meeting was requ-ired because they needed to show the Government, which had the final say, that the changes had householders' backing.

Mr Hill said: "We are coming up with a scheme which includes putting some wooden posts round the common, on Peartree Avenue, Freemantle Common Road and Spring Road, to stop vehicles getting on there."

Fire crews have been called on several occasions in recent months to extinguish cars and motorbikes deliberately set ablaze on the common.

Residents can see the plans and air their views at the meeting at Merryoak Community Centre, Acacia Road, at 7.30pm on Tuesday.