ACTION should be taken to stop travelling families from gaining access to a piece of open space in Littlemore, residents claim.

Neighbours say they have been blighted with “rubbish, foul language and loud music” from travelling families.

Residents say two caravans and up to six vehicles park on land at the end of Long Lane every year.

Plans have now been suggested to build bollards at the entrance to the land in order to prevent caravans gaining access.

Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East, said: “There’s been a history of problems on this site.

“This is the sort of thing that could be readily resolved as it has been in other places.”

Mr Smith said one resident had contacted him complaining of “rubbish being thrown into gardens, children using foul language, plants spoiled and loud disco music in the evenings”.

There were also complaints of children riding on quad bikes around the area and the tunnel being used as a toilet.

Mr Smith said: “It’s not their presence that’s the problem, it’s the disruption and the mess that need to be rectified.

“The residents and parish councillors can count on my total support for this.”

The small area contains trees and bushes planted by the parish council. The most recent visit by the families was at Easter.

Littlemore Parish Council chairman Anne Mogridge said: “This rears its head occasionally.

“There’s a lot of talk about putting bollards there to stop them getting into the area.

“Although that needs funding, along with everything else.”

Parish clerk Dorian Hancock added: “It’s not that we don’t like them but they make a whole lot of mess.

“There are several traveller campsites in Oxfordshire they can stay at.”

There are currently six authorised sites with 80 plots managed by Oxon and Bucks Gypsy and Traveller Services and six private sites in the county.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: “The council is aware that a particular piece of land in the Littlemore area is occasionally used by travellers.”