Thurrock Council has come under fire after travellers have pitched up at Grays Beach car park.

Four caravans were photographed over the weekend at the central Grays location, located at the far end of the car park to the entrance.

Conservative leader Rob Gledhill said the council was “failing” to take action on travellers around the borough.

The opposition are calling for the council to put in place an injunction similar to Harlow Council, which was approved last year.

The Little Thurrock councillor said: “Despite assurances that the Council's Labour administration is doing what it can to stop unlawful encampments they are clearly still failing.

“Nearly a year ago I proposed the council take legal action similar to Harlow to ban these encampments on public property.

“Every time public land is unlawfully occupied it cost the council tax payer, I am not talking about the small cost for using the Essex County Traveller Unit but the assessments, clean-up and other officer time that comes with them.

“Unless the Labour run council ensures sufficient resources are put into obtaining the injunction to stop these incursions as well as having the sensible conversation with its Essex partners over traveller provision across the county, Thurrock residents will be left wondering when or if their green spaces are to be occupied for the rest of the year - and that, quite frankly, is not acceptable.”

The council also attracted fierce criticism last summer after five travellers’ caravans began settling on green belt land at the end of Malvern Road, in Little Thurrock.

The caravans were given permission to stay last August.

The Gazette is awaiting a statement from Thurrock Council.