AUTHORITIES are continuing to monitor two groups of travellers which have set up camps in Weymouth.

One group, which is in the picnic area at Lodmoor Country Park near the pitch & putt, had told council employees who visited them last week they would be moving on Friday – but they remained at the site as of today.

Landowners Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said it would be issuing penalty charge notices for any parking contraventions that occur.

A group which has set up behind Dorset County Council’s park and ride car park at Mount Pleasant are expected to remain in the area for another week.

Last week, the county council said both encampments were being monitored and were being “tolerated for a short time”.

Paula Glover, DCC’s Gypsy & Traveller Liaison Officer said: “The Weymouth park & ride travellers plan to be there for about a week.

“The Lodmoor travellers are claiming they are leaving today (Monday). We will keep visiting and encouraging them to move.”

Dorset Police have also been made aware of the travellers.

In 2014, the county council’s planning committee gave permission for an area of Piddlehinton to be used as a temporary transit site for travellers.

The decision was made with the view that it would give authorities more powers when dealing with travelling groups.

Paula Clover said: “We do still have the transit site at Piddlehinton which can be used if necessary.”

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