Travellers were asked to leave after setting up camp in a Weymouth car park.


A group of travellers arrived at the Swannery car park next to RSPB Radipole Lake yesterday. 


They camped overnight before they were asked to leave by landowners, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, today. 


The group, which included about 10 caravans, left the site this afternoon 

They were formally asked to leave by WPBC and agreed to do so.


Nicola Keyworth-Wright, parking and transport manager said the council had worked with Dorset Police and the county council’s gypsy traveller liaison officer to “resolve the issue.”


One traveller, who did not wish to be named, said: “We arrived here last night and we have been told to move. I suppose we are not supposed to be here but a lady we are with is waiting to have a baby so we wanted to stop and find her a hospital. 


“We haven’t seen a lot of people since we got here but the people we have spoken to have been lovely – and we’ll take all our litter with us.”


Borough councillor for Melcombe Regis, Jason Osborne, said he was “surprised” to learn of the group. 


“I’m not quite sure what’s happened or how it was allowed to happen but something needs to be done about it and quick,” he said.


A different group of travellers reportedly camped at the Weymouth park and ride site over the weekend.


They too have since moved on.


Betty Smith, of Dorset-based Kushti Bok – a charity which supports people within the traveller community–  says the local authority could do more to support the travelling community. 


“Unauthorised stopping is not a criminal offence,” she said. “There are not enough stopping places for travellers. 


“This is their way of life. They have to have somewhere to go and the local authority doesn’t provide enough.


“Travellers are the most vulnerable group of society in the UK today. They are pushed from pillar to post but they have to have somewhere to go. You’re not going to be able to change a way of life that’s been around for hundreds of years. 


“The council should provide the correct provision. They think they can just get rid of travellers but they can’t because this is their home.”


Dorset County Council set up a temporary transit site at Piddlehinton in 2014.


It is believed some travellers from both groups headed to the transit site.