Travellers set up illegal camp at London Road park and ride

Seven caravans could be seen in London Road Park and Ride, near Aldi, on Tuesday afternoon, May 28.

The illegal camp was complete with washing lines and an outdoor toilet.

Furniture, bicycles, pushchairs and cooking equipment had also been strewn across the car park.

Travellers currently occupy around half of the outdoor car park. (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “Council officers have visited unauthorised encampments at the London Road and Petersfinger Park and Ride sites with the police and spoken with the occupiers.

"The relevant welfare checks have been conducted and initial notices to leave the land have been issued.”

This is the third unauthorised camp which has been set up in the nearby area this month as Travellers arrived in the car park on May 8 while another group set up camp in Amesbury on May 15.

They were all told to move on by Wiltshire Council.

In 2022 it became a criminal offence for trespassers to set up camps illegal on other people’s land or in local communities.

The relatively newly-classed criminal offence threatens offenders with up to three months in prison or a maximum fine of £2.5k.

If trespassers refuse to leave after being warned to do so, they could be arrested and have their vehicles seized.