THERE is disappointment in Crediton following the arrival of travellers in a field adjoining Active Crediton (formerly Lords Meadow Leisure Centre), which has resulted in the temporary closure of the leisure centre.
Many users of the centre have been arriving to attend courses and classes or use other facilities at the leisure centre throughout this morning, Wednesday, July 22.
The travellers, in six caravans and two camper vans, with a number of cars and other vehicles, arrived during the early hours of this morning.
This morning Active Crediton issued a statement which read: “We are sorry to let you know that Active Crediton is currently closed due to Travellers occupying the adjacent field.
“The safety of our customers and staff is always our highest priority, and we have closed the centre until it is safe to reopen.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated.”
The Rec, the area on which the travellers have taken up residence, is rented by Crediton Rugby Club from Queen Elizabeth’s Academy Trust Educational Foundation.
On July 20 in 2024, a similar number of caravans took up resident in The Rec causing the automatic closure of the leisure centre for the safety of staff and in an attempt to prevent the damage caused at the Centre when travellers last arrived in the town in April 2024.
It is understood that toilets and showers were broken and staff abused at the leisure centre in April 2024.
In July 2024 the Rugby Club held a clean-up day after the travellers moved on.
A club spokesperson said at the time: “While we can begrudgingly deal with the rubbish being left, the damage that has been done to one of the pitches and the gate is a harder pill to swallow.”
A bonfire was lit on one of the pitches and there was also broken glass present.
There was a large amount of litter and many lorry loads of garden waste tipped in the field.
It is understood that while camped at The Rec, one or more of the travellers operated a garden hedge trimming service.
The rugby club arranged for the clean up at that time.
Excrement was also present at the site.
Earlier this year barriers to stop vehicles with height, such as travellers caravans, were put in place at the two Active Crediton car park entrances.
This has prevented the travellers caravans from entering the car parks.
Previously, on more than one occasion, after travellers moved from the Rec or leisure centre car parks, they moved onto land at the rear off Crediton Tesco off Joseph Locke Way.
On one occasion it resulted in Redlands Primary Care Crediton GP Practice, which is based in Joseph Locke Way, to operate a closed door surgery with only rebooked appointments and emergency opening only.
In the last few weeks the land to the rear of Crediton Tesco off Joseph Locke Way has been fenced off by Tesco contractors.
The usual procedure to move on travellers is for an injunction to be issued but this usually takes a number of days.
An allotment holder from the nearby allotments in Exhibition Road told the Courier that he feared that his produce will be stolen.
Further updates as we have them.
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