Robbie Moore, MP for Ilkley, has said the presence and mess caused by travellers on Ilkley's Riverside Memorial Gardens is 'completely unacceptable'.
Speaking on his Facebook page at the weekend Robbie said:
"The mess which they have already caused, just in the last day or so via camp fires and horse manure is completely unacceptable.
"I am also aware that they are driving vehicles and racing horses along the grassed riverside area where many young families would normally be playing. They are also making it difficult for anyone to use the skatepark.
"As I have said before, it is completely unfair for local residents to put up this and to be left with the consequences and damage when the Travellers move on - which is all to be picked up at taxpayers expense."
Bradford Council say its officers has visited the site to assess the situation and have begun legal proceedings to regain possession of the land.
Ilkley's District Councillors Andrew Loy and David Nunns thanked everyone who has contacted them about the travellers saying:
"For the future, this clearly shows that extra preventative measures are required to avoid this recurring, a point we have previously raised with the council.
"We will be pressing for this to be put in place as a matter of urgency. It is especially concerning that the travellers have chosen to camp and keep their animals so close to the children’s playground, a situation which has also unfortunately been faced at Backstone Way playground recently. This is clearly unacceptable and must be addressed."
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