UPDATE (Jul 11): Tendring Council confirm the group has left Holland Haven Country Park 

RESIDENTS are furious after travellers pitched up on their doorsteps again for the second time in a week.

Up to 15 vans arrived at Holland Haven again on Monday after moving off a week earlier.

This follows the Essex Countywide Traveller Unit obtaining a direction to leave notice against the group in Alton Park Road.

It is understood they moved from Pathfields playing fields to Smith's Farm, a private site next to Clacton Air Field, and then on to Alton Park.

However, Section 61 police powers means they need to be off the site by 7pm tonight.

Holland resident Richard Medlock, 51, said they moved a large concrete stone put there by the council to keep them out, and were "happily driving quad bikes all over the green".

Mr Medlock, who works in facilities management, says more should be done to prevent travellers pitching up illegally.

"In Harlow the council took out a massive injunction," he said.

"Why can't ours do the same?

"It's costing me a lot as a council taxpayer. I'm fed up with having to pay to clean up.

"The council hasn't the money to spray weeds or cut grass verges, but have to find the money to remove human excrement and fly-tipping.

"The travellers obviously like it here but they can't keep coming back - it's getting expensive."

After being served with a court order, travellers have 24 hours to leave otherwise bailiffs can be sent in to evict them.

One Alton Park resident, who asked not to be named, says her gripe with travellers is the nuisance they cause.

The mum-of-one has lived in the area for five years, and saw about ten caravans near Alton Park Junior School and Oakwood Infant and Nursery School on Monday.

She said: "Seeing as there are two schools opposite, I don't think they should be there.

"The field is used for children to play on and people take their dogs to run about which can't happen if travellers are on it.

"Plus they're using the footpath next to it for their cars to get on and off the field."

The final course of action will be decided by Essex County Council.

READ MORE: TRAVELLERS SET UP THREE ENCAMPMENTS