Popular paddling pool shut after travellers used it to wash
Council bosses say it'll have to be drained
Last updated 12th Jul 2022
A popular pool in Eastleigh's been forced to close after a group of travellers used it to clean themselves.
The borough council says the paddling pool in Fleming Park is now shut and will have to be drained.
We're told it won't reopen until a nearby encampment - of up to 40 caravans and vehicles - has left.
In a statement on its website, Eastleigh Borough Council said: "The Council is aware of an unauthorised encampment on land at Fleming Park, Eastleigh.
"There are currently between 35-40 caravans and vehicles on the site that accessed the land on the evening of Monday 11 July.
"Council officers have visited the encampment (Tuesday 12 July) to request that the travelers leave the site. We are continuing to monitor the situation.
"Unfortunately members of the encampment have accessed the paddling pool and have been using the water features to wash etc. So we have now taken the decision to close the paddling pool with immediate effect.
"The paddling pool will now need to be drained and will not be refilled until the encampment has moved on.
"The Council will now follow its normal procedure for dealing with unauthorised encampments."
For more information about the process of dealing with unauthorised encampments, click here.