Travellers at Perdiswell Leisure Centre car park told to leave

The group camping on Perdiswell Leisure Centre car park have been told they must go by tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday) at the latest. 

The group arrived at the car park, off Bilford Road, Worcester on Sunday afternoon (February 26).

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So far the group, which has brought several caravans, cars and camper vans on to the private land, has remained two nights in the car park.

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A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "City Council officers, accompanied by the police, have served legal notices on the travellers who have parked on the Perdiswell Leisure Centre car park without authorisation.

"The notices require them to leave the site by 5pm on Wednesday, and to not return within three months."

NOTICE: Travellers have been told to leave Perdiswell Leisure Centre (Image: SWNS)

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Police have carried out regular assurance patrols in the area. The local Safer Neighbourhood team have attended in the last hour and served a notice to the travellers who have told police they intend to leave today or tomorrow."

Their arrival on Sunday caused gridlock on Bilford Road with staff and passers-by forming a human chain to try to stop them entering the site. 

Police blocked the entrance with a van to prevent caravans from continuing to enter but eventually were forced to move to allow people to leave the car park.

There are currently 11 large camper vans parked in the car park off Bilford Road near the playing fields.

Washing lines were also set up on the grass and children could be seen playing between the vehicles.

Despite the large presence, landowners Worcester City Council said the encampment was unauthorised and the leisure centre, run by Freedom Leisure, remains open. This evening staff declined to comment further on the incursion. 

Worried leisure centre members rushed into reception to tell staff caravans were making their way on to the car park.

After the entrance was blocked by police and caravans and large queues of traffic built on Bilford Road, officers removed their vans to allow people trapped in the car park to exit.

As offices allowed leisure centre members' cars to leave the site it led to more caravans making their way onto the land. 

Employees at Perdiswell Leisure Centre on Bilford Road told the Worcester News yesterday they were shocked and scared as worried customers came to report the convoy.

Travellers began arriving at 2.30pm with police swiftly following to "prevent a breach of the peace".

Eight police cars, two police vans and around a dozen officers were at the leisure centre car park during the incident.

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