TRAVELLERS have been given until noon to leave the Waitrose site in Botley Road, Oxford.

The 24-hour eviction notice was served on the group yesterday after they moved on to the land.

Residents said they turned up on Monday night and yesterday there were a number of caravans.

One neighbour said she could see torches shining and hear dogs barking. She said: “It’s disgusting.”

But one of the travellers, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We’ve got nowhere else to go. The council are supposed to provide a transient site but they don’t.”

Land agents Workman, which is looking after the site, served them with a 24-hour eviction notice.

Thames Valley Police officer Gordon Kille said officers were monitoring the situation but that police would only take action if the 24-hour eviction notice was not adhered to.

Work is due to start on building the Waitrose store at the end of February. The former Halfords and MFI building was demolished before Christmas to pave the way for Oxford’s third Waitrose.

Proposals for the 24,500 sq ft store were approved by Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee in May last year. The store, which is expected to open in the autumn, will have 150 parking spaces and create 160 jobs.

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