TRAVELLERS have been evicted from a park after Newport City Council obtained a writ from the High Court.

Travellers moved into Black Ash Park, in Lliswerry, back in September.

After the travellers ignored a court order, Newport council then acquired a writ in the High Court and, with Gwent Police and high court enforcement officers, evicted the group on Thursday.

Images have since emerged of waste strewn across the vicinity.

And residents across Newport have voiced their disgust at the mess.

Video: Christinsleyphotography.com

"It is absolutely disgusting," said Martyn May, who lives in Lliswerry.

"We all knew this was going to happen. I warned people that this would happen.

"There is all sorts of rubbish which has been left in the park. It makes me feel ill."

Another Lliswerry resident Rhys Hughes said he was "outraged" at the state of the park.

He said: "They have left our park in a complete mess.

"We used to come here when we wanted to. How can we do that if there is waste?

"I am outraged."

Cllr Allan Morris, who is the independent councillor for Lliswerry, said: "This mess was predictable and avoidable.

"The people who caused it should not be allowed to get away with it.

"There needs to be a huge change in legislation to prevent it happening time and time again."

Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "You could see there was rubbish and waste behind the caravans.

"I have never seen a park left in such a disgusting mess.

"I am happy that they have been kicked out."

She added: "A football team had to move out because of the mess.

"I want the park back to normal like it normally is."

A Newport City Council spokeswoman said: “Gypsy and travellers are a recognised ethnic group, which means that the council has a number of legal duties towards them under the Equalities Act, the Housing Act and the Children Act.

“The council also has to comply with the Human Rights Act and, in particular, respect their right to family life.

“The lengthy legal process has now resulted in the writ being issued in the High Court and the successful eviction which took place yesterday.

“Council staff were on site following the eviction to start deep cleansing the area.”