The Blacklands has seen a rise in travellers this year – with the council’s hands tied with it being on private land.

Community Councillor Andy Robb raised the issue at last weeks meeting of Kilwinning Community Council after complaints from residents over the latest arrival.

He said: “We’ve got a history of travelling people arriving down in the Blacklands at Nethermains behind Porter’s garage. They come every year – some of them aren’t too bad – but that lot we had a month ago left an awful mess. Then this other crowd came and left a bigger mess.

“The thing is it’s on private ground so the council can’t move them on, but its the mess left behind. On Monday morning another 12 caravans arrived and went into the same spot, then another three came, then another two came, so you can imagine the mess when they go.

“Streetscene come out to clean up, but that costs the council money. Is there no way they can claim it back from the landowner?”

Community Councillor Blair Kerr, who also serves as a Traveller Co-ordinator for North Ayrshire Council, said: “There has been an increase in the last year or so down at Nethermains, the council have a duty of care to residents and travellers. I would state not all gypsy travellers are the same, some of them do leave mess and some are very clean and tidy.

“It is private land. We have tried to contact the landowner as much as possible. It is the landowners responsibility, if they wish, to remove travellers from the site and clean it up.

“Our hands are tied. We’ve tried to serve the landowner notice in the past. We have also informed the landowner that it may affect any future planning permission for the land.”

Kilwinning Councillor Donald Reid meanwhile urged residents not to engage anyone who comes to their door offering to do work.

He said: “Why do they come to Kilwinning, because folk give them work. They will stay in Kilwinning as long as folk give them work.

“I would always say don’t go down the road of accepting a cheap quote because it will probably cost you more in the long run and probably not working with a legitimate company.”

Blair Kerr added: “I just like to say not all gypsy travellers do bad work.”

Anyone who wishes to raise concerns can phone 310000.