Victoria Park was made a site for the travelling community at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the Border Telegraph revealed that three families remained after the courts issued warrants to move them on.

All have now left.

A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council (SBC) said: “As COVID-19 restrictions came into force during March 2020, a number of Gypsy/Traveller families arrived in the Scottish Borders and established unauthorised encampments in various unsuitable locations.

“At that time and to comply with restricted movement and distancing, the facilities operated by Live Borders at Victoria Park in Selkirk were utilised.

“We were required to continue these arrangements for the duration of the pandemic.

“Revised Scottish Government guidelines published in March this year enabled us to review the position.

“It was agreed that the families currently residing in Selkirk would remain at Victoria Park until the end of June after which they would be required to vacate the site.

“This has now taken place and the site returned to Live Borders as current operators of the caravan park.”

The local authority is now working to make any necessary repairs and changes to return the facilities to full working order so tourists can return.

Selkirkshire councillor Caroline Cochrane previously suggested that there was the possibility of the site working towards an accreditation with the Caravan Club.

However, SBC has said it has no plans for this.

The spokesperson added: “The site was always in public ownership; it currently remains under Live Borders control for use by holidaymakers etc.

“There are no plans by SBC to work toward Caravan Club accreditation.

“We undertook to undertake any necessary repairs once the Gypsy/Traveller families moved on and this is under way.”

Looking to the future, the council is now assessing what kind of provision is available for the Gypsy/Traveller community in the Borders.

Tweedside Caravan Park in Innerleithen is the current designated traveller site.

There are nine pitches available for the community.

However, this site does not operate during winter months.

In a report which appeared before the council last month, there are plans for a review of the local authority’s provision for travelling families.

The spokesperson said: “Tweedside Caravan Park in Innerleithen has nine pitches and is run by an independent private business who operate it as a commercial enterprise.

“We are not aware of any plans they have for increasing their provision nor for making it available during the winter months, although past experience suggests that people using the site move to winter accommodation outwith the Borders.

“The council is undertaking an overall review of our provision for Gypsy/Travellers families as set out in the report that went to council on 23 June (Item 12).

“An update is due to come back to elected members in October providing an indicative timescale for the next steps and actions.”