NOT budging! Travellers show NO SIGNS of leaving multi-millionaire west London neighbourhood of Kew after setting up camp four days ago
- Group of travellers are still staying on picturesque Kew Green in Richmond after arriving on Thursday evening
- They showed no signs of leaving today as they walked around the site despite being asked to move on Friday
- Richmond Council taking legal action but has warned this may take a while and result in delay in moving them
- Green is just an eight-minute walk from Kew Gardens and is surrounded by properties worth average of £2m
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Travellers who have set up camp in an affluent West London park over the bank holiday weekend refused to move today despite the local council taking legal action against them amid a stand-off.
The group of travellers are continuing to stay on the picturesque Kew Green in Richmond after arriving four days ago on Thursday evening with around 12 caravans and other vehicles.
But despite being asked to move on Friday, the group showed no signs of leaving today as they walked around the site and gathered in groups in the sunshine with temperatures soaring to 77F (25C).
Richmond Council is taking legal action against the group – who are believed to be from the Republic of Ireland – but has warned this may take a while and result in a delay in moving the travellers.
A woman folds a pram over the grass today as the travellers continue to stay on Kew Green in Richmond, West London
A group of men gather on Kew Green in West London today as the travellers refuse to leave amid a stand-off with the council
Travellers continue to stay on the site at Kew Green in West London today as Richmond Council tries to evict them
A woman walks on the grass at Kew Green in West London today as the travellers continue to stay on the site
Two shirtless men walk on the grass at Kew Green in West London today as the travellers continue to stay at the site
A security guard patrols Kew Green today as Richmond Council continues to try to evict the travellers from the site
A man holds a mug as he talks to other men gathered on the picturesque Kew Green in West London today
Security guards were seen patrolling the green which is just an eight-minute walk from popular attraction Kew Gardens and is surrounded by properties valued at an average of £2million each.
Young children have been seen playing outside their homes and riding bicycles, mothers are walking their babies around the park in their prams and men have been seen drinking from cans and bottles in groups.
On Friday, Richmond Council confirmed it would start the legal process to obtain and enforce a possession order.
Delays were expected due to a High Court order earlier this month that denied the council’s request to extend the previous expedited injunction process, in common with numerous other local authorities.
The travellers are pictured today having set up camp in the affluent West London park over the bank holiday weekend
A man stands outside a caravan today as the travellers continue to stay on the green, which is a short walk from Kew Gardens
A man looks inside a caravan today as the travellers continue stay on Kew Green in an affluent part of West London
A man stands next to a park on Kew Green today as travellers stay on the picturesque site in West London
A man washes his hair outside a caravan today as the travellers stay on the site at Kew Green in West London
A man walks through Kew Green today as the travellers stay on the site in West London at the picturesque park
A man rubs his hands together today as the travellers continue to occupy Kew Green in the Richmond area of West London
A man wipes his face on a towel at Kew Green in West London today as the travellers continue to occupy the site
Instead, the council is forced to go via the courts to remove the group. A spokesman for the local authority confirmed once the travellers have been removed it will endeavour to repair any damage caused.
Speaking on Friday, Councillor Julia Neden-Watts said: ‘A small group of travellers has arrived in Kew. This morning, Council officers will commence the legal action required to expedite their departure.
‘Due to a recent court ruling, this process will not be as fast as residents would like and I know that they will be concerned, but we have to work within the law.
‘As soon as the travellers leave, we will inspect the area and ensure that any damage is repaired, and waste removed. Our park guard officers, along with the police, will be monitoring the site closely until the group depart.’
MailOnline has contacted Richmond Council today for an update on the status of the legal proceedings.