Travellers should be charged with the clean-up of an illegal camp set up near the Cyclopark after they were forced to leave by magistrates, a county councillor has claimed.

Bryan Sweetland, Kent County Council member for Gravesham Rural, says a large amount of rubbish and debris remains near the sporting facility after 25 caravans moved on to the land on Saturday, May 23.

The group finally left the area on Friday, the day after Medway magistrates served them with an eviction notice following a refusal to obey a “direction to leave” order from KCC.

Cllr Sweetland said: “Our Gypsy and Traveller Unit acted swiftly to tackle the problem on the land next to Cyclopark and we were pleased with the outcome of the court hearing and the rapid departure of the travellers the very next morning.

“As is too often the case, the travellers left behind a huge quantity of rubbish and debris which needed to be cleared.

“There was also some damage caused to the park area and the gates.

“Anyone else would be charged with fly tipping and criminal damage and I think most people feel that these travellers should be treated no differently.

“I will be asking KCC’s officers if it is at all possible to take action against them to recover the cost of the damage and the clean-up.”

The camp was one of three illegal traveller sites to spring up in north Kent in just over a week following other incursions in Dartford and Swanley.

Last Thursday, a convoy of caravans entered the grounds at Darent Valley Hospital leading to lengthy queues on roads around the hospital before settling on to land at Darenth Country Park.

A hospital spokesman confirmed the group left the site on the same evening.

The camp was reported on the former Mabledon Hospital site in the park with Dartford council drawing up eviction notices to have them removed.

A council spokeswoman confirmed some travellers have remained at the site and that the group have been summoned to attend Dartford Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Also on Thursday, travellers also set up camp in Swanley Park, which led to its closure.

According to the Swanley Town Council website, police were unable to serve appropiate eviction notices because of a lack of resources, leading the council to instruct private bailiffs to help remove them.

Half the encampment left following the announcement with bailiffs preparing to remove the remaining travellers.

The main area of the park has been cleared for public use with the camp contained to the New Barn Road area.

Council chairman Tony Searles said: “Myself and officers have been in attendance at all times during this disturbance and are working hard to ensure that this is resolved as quickly as possible.”