Commuters' fury as travellers take over train station car park with caravans and hang out washing – but police do nothing

COMMUTERS have been left stunned after travellers took over a train station car park – leaving their washing and rubbish scattered across the park.

And with up to 20 caravans parked at the Lea Green railway station in St Helens, commuters are now being forced to park elsewhere as cops do nothing to move them on.

Carpets and clothes can be seen scattered around the car park, with even children's potties left across the bitumen.

The area has been overrun with kids playing on scooters while commuters carefully try to find a park.

And while commuters have complained, nothing has so far been done to move on the travellers – despite a sign warning the area is "free parking for Rail users only".

Irene Parker, 77, told the MailOnline: "It's disgusting seeing all these people here. They're doing their washing and children are playing all over the place.

"I saw a little girl run in front of a car. A height restriction barrier seems to have been broken."

She said that Northern Rail had been contacted about the problem, but claimed that nothing could be done as the travellers were not causing any disruption.

Commuters said they were frustrated at the apparent double standards, with one man claiming he had got a £50 parking ticket for parking across a bay.

He said: "How is there no action taken when these caravans are taking up to three bays. It's one rule for them and another for everyone else."

It's disgusting seeing all these people here. They're doing their washing and children are playing all over the place

But travellers who have made the car park their home said they hadn't done anything.

One said: "The police have been round but we haven't done anything wrong or caused any trouble so they didn't do anything."

A spokesman for Northern said: "We are continuing to work closely with British Transport Police to monitor the situation at Lea Green and return the car park to normal operation as soon as possible.

"In the meantime we continue to advise customers to amend their travel plans slightly and use St Helens Junction which has parking facilities for more than 200 cars."

British Transport Police have been contacted for comment.

It comes after travellers hit the motorway in traditional caravans and plush motorways for the Appleby Horse Fair this week.

Cowgirls and pram-pushing mums glammed up for the fair in Cumbria that attracts about 10,000 travellers and gypsies to buy and sell horses.

Fascinating photos from the 1960s have shown the extensive history of the fair.

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