Aberdeen residents have been urged to stop giving travellers work as two large encampments pitched up within half a mile of each other.
More than 35 caravans and vehicles are parked at football pitches off Seaton Crescent, while another group has set up a short distance away at a cricket pitch between the golf driving range and the Linx Ice Arena.
It is understood that the field is used for youngsters’ football training in the Easter holidays – leaving the planned sessions in jeopardy.
Sport Aberdeen, which controls all activities on public pitches, was not available for comment last night.
The first encampment moved after the travellers were evicted from Nigg Bay on Friday night, leaving mounds of rubbish, including human waste and building materials, behind.
Yesterday local councillor Jean Morrison said the “saga will continue” if people keep giving the groups employment.
“A lot of the travellers are running businesses and because Aberdeen is the way it is, the economy is booming. People have money to spend – and they are getting offered deals,” she said.
“As long as we keep giving them employment then this saga will continue. It will keep happening. If we could get the general public to stop giving them work that would help.”
Finance convener Willie Young said the council would only be ably to fully address the issue if it was given the power to introduce a bylaw to ban unauthorised camps. “We have no powers whatsoever to deal with this,” he said.
“What we are saying is we would like that power. If we get the bylaw we will deal with it; it becomes our problem. Without it, my hands are tied and the council’s hands are tied.
“Aberdeen does not have a seasonal problem with traveller communities – we have travellers who are here every day of the year.
“We will be discussing this at the next council meeting on May 14 and pushing forward with getting the bylaw.”
Aberdeen City Council confirmed it would be seeking court action today to remove the encampment near the Lynx Ice Arena.
A spokesman added: “Our gypsy/traveller liaison officer will be inspecting the site in Seaton first thing on Monday to monitor the situation and decide what action is required.”