Travellers have pitched up again on Cannon Hill Common, despite measures by Merton Council to deter them.

More than 15 caravans moved onto the common in Morden yesterday, with travellers moving heavy logs installed by the council two years ago, residents have reported.

The “substantial logs” were installed by council officers along the edge of the common after a convoy of caravans kept returning to set up illegal camps in October 2012.

However, it appears the travellers have shifted the logs to gain access to the park.

Councillor Tobin Byers, of Cannon Hill ward, said: “Residents are appalled that travellers managed to remove the logs that were put in place to protect the Common from illegal encampments.

"Council officers and the police have begun the legal process to remove the travellers and although various legal hurdles need to be overcome we hope this will be done quickly."

He said council officers installed extra bins and gave the travellers black bin bags this morning to encourage them not to litter. 

Residents and Conservative councillors have accused the council of not doing enough to secure the site.

Debbie Shears, former Conservative councillor in Cannon Hill ward, said: "We tried to get the council to put significant defences against the travellers coming and all they agreed to was putting logs down.

"It's an absolute farce because we kept telling the council they would return and this shows their lack of respect for green spaces."

Councillor Andrew Judge, cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, said he was not aware of the problem, but would investigate.

He added: "Obviously it's completely undesirable to have people camping on the common and we want to prevent this in all our parks."