The removal comes after a Hong Kong court granted a restraining order against the protesters last week requiring them to clear the area in front of a tower in the central part of Hong Kong.

There was also a separate order against a second protest site, Mong Kok, brought by taxi and minibus operators.

The workers could be seen cutting plastic ties holding the barricades together.

Students, who have been protesting for greater democracy in the former British colony, did not resist.

Some protesters had already moved their tents to other parts of the protest zone ahead of the clearance operation.

The protesters oppose Beijing's decision that a panel will screen candidates for the inaugural 2017 election for Hong Kong's top official. Chinese authorities have declared the gatherings illegal.

Some of the students, who occupy several sites around Hong Kong, said they would not resist.

"We will proceed on the principle of peace and non-violence," said Joshua Wong, head of Scholarism, one of two student groups leading the protests.

"We are not looking for an argument with the police. If they clear the road outside the car park we will accept that. If they clear other areas it will be very disappointing."

Some protesters packed up pillows, blankets and other belongings from inside their tents and moved to another part of the demonstration zone.

"Our plan is to do nothing and just observe," said protester Gary Yeung, 25. "The pre-agreed area is fine. Anything beyond that is not. It's a peaceful protest so we won't fight back."

An argument broke out as the workers removed several more fences from a nearby roundabout, with protesters shouting that the area did not fall under the injunction.

"This is unacceptable to the protesters," pro-democracy lawmaker Albert Ho shouted at the bailiffs through a loudspeaker.

On Saturday, three students who have led protests for greater democracy in the former British colony were turned back in their attempt to go to Beijing to meet top Chinese officials.

Alex Chow, Nathan Law and Eason Chung were denied boarding passes for a Cathay Pacific flight and were told their travel documents were invalid.

Carrie Lam, chief secretary for the Hong Kong administration, said it was unnecessary for the students to petition Beijing and that the central leadership of the ruling Communist Party was aware of their appeals.

Pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong are routinely denied entry to the mainland, and Beijing in the past has confiscated or refused to renew the travel permits, commonly known as return-home cards, for a number of Hong Kong activists.

AP, AFP, Reuters