A PERMANENT security measure has been delayed at a park which was recently used for a camp by travellers.

A rise and fall bollard is planned for the entrance to Pitmaston Park in St John's and was due to be installed next week.

Instead concrete drainage rings, which were temporarily installed in the park to prevent unauthorised access to the field, will stay in place until the bollard is put in place at the end of November.

An additional security measure - a restricted height barrier - has also now been agreed to beef up security even further.

The move comes after around eight caravans moved onto Pitmaston Park for five days last month, only leaving one minute before the expiry of a police deadline demanding they go.

After they left, Worcestershire County Council was forced to close the park, which is next to Pitmaston primary school, after discovering rubbish including nappies, toilet paper, cans, a gas canister and even sanitary towels.

It was the second time in just over a year that travellers had set up camp on the park.

The work to improve security at the park is being organised by Place Partnership, a land and property management company which brings together public sector organisations including West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council.

The organisation has been working with the Conservation Officer at Worcester City Council to ensure the bollard will be in keeping with the setting of the park.

A spokesperson for Place Partnership said: “It’s important that we adhere to the advice of the Conservation Officer as we want to ensure the bollard provides suitable security and is in keeping with the local area.

"We are also going to install a barrier at the entrance.

"Due to the fact the bollard is being made specifically for this site we do not expect to be able to install it until the end of November.

"The temporary drainage rings will stay in place until then.

"We’d like to thank the local community for their on-going support and patience whilst this matter is resolved.”

Place Partnership, acting on behalf of Worcestershire County Council, has installed a number of heavy pre-cast concrete drainage rings as a temporary security measure at the site – following a number of recent incursions.

A rise and fall bollard will be installed permanently at the Park entrance and Place Partnership has been working It has also been agreed this week that a restricted height barrier will also be installed in the Park entrance to further improve security.