A TOTAL of 20 traveller caravans have set up camp on private land next to the Pitsea flyover - igniting residents’ concerns.

The group moved onto grassland behind Terminus Drive today. When the Echo visited the site, children could be seen playing and adults setting up gas cylinders.

One eyewitness, who lives in Chestnut Road and wishes to remain anonymous, said: “When I look out of my window I can see the encampment. It has quadrupled in size since the morning.”

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “We have been made aware of an encampment in the Terminus Drive area and have informed the landowner.”