TRAVELLERS have returned to Port Glasgow — and Inverclyde’s Deputy Provost says they could scare away businesses and jobs.

A dozen caravans and vehicles have set up camp at Woodhall on a grassy site owned by River Clyde Homes.

The arrival of the latest group has been greeted with anger by Deputy Provost David Wilson, pictured, who called on RCH to take immediate action.

He said today: “This is close to the new Riverside Inverclyde commercial and business park and really does not give a good impression to potential tenants.” Councillor Wilson continued: “Under the auspices of the Kelburn Action Group, the council, RCH and Network Rail have all been working to improve the environment of the local area. The track record of travellers arriving in Inverclyde and looking after their encampments is not good – and they inevitably leave a mess for others to clear up.

“I sincerely hope RCH have them moved on as soon as possible.” Councillor Jim MacLeod, chair of the Woodhall Task Group, also said he was annoyed by the appearance of the camp.

He said: “We’re trying to do things here to regenerate that area, and we’re going to be building houses there shortly.

“It doesn’t lend itself to being an appropriate place for travellers to park.” RCH said it is determined to take firm action against the travellers.

Russell Smith, RCH ‘Cleaner, Greener Neighbourhoods’ manager, said: “We have informed them they are on private property and have asked them to leave by Sunday evening.

“If they fail to comply, arrangements are in place for us to swiftly seek a court order to remove them from our land.” A camp was set up last month at Port Glasgow’s new multi-million pound retail park, prompting complaints from local people that it gave a bad impression of the town.

And travellers — believed to be the same group — then stopped for a few days at Valleypark Business Park, off Inverkip Road, leaving behind a mountain of rubbish as well human excrement. Property firm Highcross, which is in charge of the business park, were forced to call in a specialist cleaning company to remove the revolting mess.