NEW security measures have been introduced in a bid to prevent illegal traveller camps being set up in Port Glasgow.

Bosses from housing association River Clyde Homes (RCH) have installed metal bollards at the entrance and exit of Woodhall Terrace as they try to stop caravans parking there.

It comes after travellers set up an unauthorised camp at the site in May and left behind a disgusting mess — including toilet paper and human waste — which prompted anger from residents and local councillors.

There were also concerns that the sight of caravans parked close to a new multi-million office block development at Kelburn Industrial Estate, would deter businesses from coming to Inverclyde.

The site, just off the busy A8 road, is also earmarked by RCH for a new £2.5 million housing development.

Russell Smith, RCH’s cleaner, greener neighbourhoods manager, said: “In an effort to prevent illegal camps being set up on our land, we have installed bollards in a partnership project with Inverclyde Council.” The move follows similar restrictions put in place by the council at two other Port sites in recent times.

Large rocks were placed at the entrance to Kelburn Park to prevent illegal encampments and metal height restriction barriers and CCTV cameras were installed near to Newark Castle to stop caravans going any further than Ferguson’s shipyard.

The arrival of travellers at the Woodhall site two months ago led to a legal move by River Clyde Homes.

They launched court proceedings to evict the group but the caravans left before a crunch hearing could take place.

The Woodhall site was left strewn with litter, bags of rubbish and other items, including broken children’s toys, while the grass was also badly gouged by vans and caravans.