Travellers leave car park at Lymington New Forest Hospital

Caravans and other unauthorised vehicles occupied part of a staff parking facility at Lymington New Forest Hospital for three days before leaving the site on Tuesday.

The 16-year-old hospital is run by the Totton-based Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Travellers are occupying a staff car park at Lymington New Forest Hospital (Image: Newsquest.)

A Trust spokesperson said staff were still able to use vacant spaces, plus parking bays at the front of the building.

They added that the presence of the travellers had "no impact on patients accessing services".

However, the Daily Echo understands that people turning up for outpatient appointments were told to arrive early in case they have trouble finding somewhere to park.

READ MORE: Moyles Court School closes after travellers pitch up on nearby land

Southern said the car park was owned by NHS Property Services - but officials there said it belonged to the district council.

Moyles Court School closed two days early for half-term after travellers camped on nearby land (Image: Moyles Court School)

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "Officers worked closely with the hospital and the district council to resolve the situation."

READ MORE: Travellers set up camp at Mayfield Park in Southampton

It was the latest in a series of incidents involving travellers pitching up at sites in the New Forest. 

As reported in the Daily Echo, Moyles Court School, near Ringwood, was closed two days early for half-term after travellers appeared on May 24.

Headteacher Richard Milner-Smith said he had "serious concern" for the welfare of the students after the unauthorised camp was set up in a field just opposite the private school.

"At one point they looked like they were attempting to get onto our sports field while some of our students were on it," he said.

Mr Milner-Smith praised police for their quick response to the situation, but expressed disappointment at the disruption caused to the students, many of whom have upcoming GCSE exams.

READ MORE: Special powers used to remove travellers from Winchester car park

The Lymington encampment appeared shortly after a group of travellers were moved on from Ashley recreation ground, near New Milton Rugby Club.

They left the site a few hours after being served notice to leave the site, off Molyneaux Road, by the district council.

Travellers have also targeted sites in other parts of Hampshire, including Southampton and Winchester. Last month around 23 vehicles turned up at Mayfield Park in Woolston. 

Built at a cost of £36m the Lymington New Forest Hospital was opened by the Princess Royal in February 2007.