Travellers set up camp in Dewsbury car park

The group moved onto the coach park area of Cliffe Street car park earlier this week.

A council spokesman said: “Whilst the council has a number of existing possession orders for Cliffe Street from encampments earlier in the year, the current group have not occupied the land previously. This means we must issue fresh proceedings.

“Officers have already visited the site to begin the process.”

Cliffe Street is one of several sites in the town regularly used by travellers to the frustration of shoppers and traders.

The council installed height barriers at the entrance to the main parking area this summer in a bid to stop the illegal camps.

But barrier could not be put up at the entrance to the small parking area because it is designated for coaches and market traders with larger vans.