Pic- David Martin

Travellers who moved on to Stoke Newington common were yesterday (June 6) hours away from defying a court order they were served on Friday giving them 48 hours to leave.

Three caravans, pieces of outside furniture and several cars were still standing at the edge of the park closest to the railway on Sunday afternoon, whilst at the same time many families were enjoying a children’s event on the common.

There was no sign that the group were about to leave. Residents had complained of “blaring” music, demanding the council, police and Dianne Abbot, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, take action against the travellers.

Hackney Council chose to take legal action against the group whose caravans pitched up on the public space three weeks ago.

A council spokesperson said: “The council are aware that a group of travellers have moved onto Stoke Newington Common and we are working to resolve the situation.

“There is a formal process involved, but we have been working through it as quickly as possible. We have now received a court order giving the travellers 48 hours to leave the common.”

Previous efforts by the council to negotiate and resolve the situation had failed.

EastLondonLines spoke to several members of the group, all of whom declined to comment.

Stoke Newington Common is around five minutes’ walk from Stoke Newington Overground Station. It lies between Stoke Newington and Clapton and has four different sections of green space. The Common is a highly valued green space for residents and their children.