THERE is good news for users of the Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton after travellers who have been camped in the leisure centre car parks for several days left late this afternoon, Sunday, April 14.
However, a vast quantity of rubbish, left over food, faeces, gas cylinders, fuel cans, tools and other items have been left behind.
More than 12 caravans and associated vehicles were parked in the leisure centre car parks.
It was believed that bailiffs acting on behalf of Mid Devon District Council had given the travellers notice to leave late yesterday afternoon, but that was extended until early this morning.
Eventually, with the assistance of police, bailiffs and enforcement officers, the travellers left this afternoon.
Mid Devon Leisure had to close the leisure centre at 3pm on Saturday and had planned to re-open after the travellers had left at 11am this morning, Sunday, but this had to be extended for the safety of leisure centre users and it was announced that it would close for the rest of the day.
On Saturday, Mid Devon Leisure said on social media: “Lords Meadow Leisure will not be open until 11am tomorrow. We apologise for any inconvenience caused #crediton #closure #safety”
Crediton Tae Kwon Do took to social media that evening to say: “Lords Meadow Leisure Centre is closed so we are having to cancel our Sunday sessions this week! Full details have been circulated by email!
“We will reschedule and give an update on the LP grading we had planned for the morning, in due course.
“We apologise for the inconvenience but hope you can appreciate this is beyond our control or anything we can influence.
“Thanks in advance for your understanding.
“Have a great remainder of the weekend and see you all next week!”
This morning, Sunday, Mid Devon Leisure announced: “Lords Meadow Leisure Centre will be closed on Sunday, April 14.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and kindly request that you avoid the area.”
Some leisure centre users said that they were unhappy that they could not use their local centre.
Just minutes ago, at about 5.30pm, Mid Devon Leisure said: “Our visitors have now moved on and Lords Meadow Leisure Centre will be open tomorrow as normal.
“Thank you to all our customers for their support and patience in recent days.”
It also said: “Please take care in our car parks while the clean-up operation is underway.”
At the time of writing, the clean-up had not begun.