Unauthorised traveller encampment still parked in layby near Northamptonshire village despite promising to leave at the weekend

An unauthorised traveller encampment is still parked up in a layby today (Monday, March 1) near a Northamptonshire village despite promising to leave at the weekend.

There are currently two motorhomes parked in the layby on Banbury Lane between Rothersthorpe and Hunsbury Meadows, with a lot more fly-tipped rubbish in the area compared to when they first moved in.

Police and members of Northamptonshire County Council's Countywide Traveller Unit visited the site last week to speak with the travellers, which led to the county council's traveller unit saying it would "look to start the usual process with a view to moving them on" if they were not gone by the weekend.

Police Community Support Officers have also reportedly been in the area to provide a "reassuring visible presence" in the nearby residential Pineham Lock and Swan Valley industrial estates.

A Northamptonshire County Council Countywide Traveller Unit spokeswoman said: “We are aware of this small encampment with just two vehicles and are carrying out the usual statutory assessment process to determine the best course of action.”

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said regular patrols are still taking place in the area by neighbourhood officers.

Back in September last year, an unauthorised traveller encampment pitched up at a different location in Banbury Lane, which led to residents in Pineham Locks saying they feel "afraid" of walking past.

One resident described last year's encampment as "like a small town", after more than 20 caravans were at the site.