Trees wrecked and rubbish dumped at Weymouth park and ride - Dorset

From the Daily Echo

TRAVELLERS who set up at Weymouth’s park and ride site have been branded ‘disgraceful’ after leaving the area strewn with rubbish bags and damaged trees.

Dozens of sapling trees were destroyed close to the Mount Pleasant site and a young boy was seen vandalising the plastic protective casing around the trees.

Black bin bags were also dumped.

The Travellers left the site on Wednesday evening, Dorset County Council confirmed. Two groups set up there last week with more than a dozen caravans and other vehicles.

Dorset County councillor David Mannings, who represents the ward, said the mess was ‘disgraceful’.

He said: “They should not do it. They should clear up after themselves.

“When people look out and see the mess that is there it is not nice, and it doesn’t give a good impression for tourists who use the park and ride site.”

Coun Mannings added: “I am in discussions to try to find a permanent solution to this problem.

“There needs to be a site where the county council and the police can direct Travellers to. There isn’t one available at the moment.”

It is the fourth time in less than a year that Travellers have camped at the site.

Some groups left the area tidy but others, including a group in March, also left a mess behind.

Dorset County Council, which owns the park and ride site and provide a Traveller liaison service, said it is aware of the issue.

A spokeswoman said an officer will be attending the site on Friday to assess the damage.

Weymouth and Portland Borough councillor for Radipole Bill White said a number of residents had raised concerns with him.

He said: “I’m hoping the county council will make the area secure so that people can’t come and go as they please. It is draining resources when they leave a mess like this.

“People should be treated the same and if anyone else were to behave like this they would be asked to move on.”

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said the force received reports on Monday of criminal damage to trees.

She said: “Officers attended and Dorset Police is awaiting details from the owner about any damage caused.”

Development Plan

Dorset County Council said it is working on a Gypsy and Traveller Site Development Plan, but a solution could be years away.

Head of countryside and business development Dave Ayre said: “In the meantime the county council has been asked to put in place interim arrangements similar to those that worked so effectively during last year's Olympic events.

“A temporary authorised site was organised at Piddlehinton and Travellers were directed there during the summer of 2012.

“Any interim solution would need to be properly investigated and would need to be the subject of a planning application.”