A POPULAR beauty spot on Portland has been closed to vehicles following ‘frequent violations’ of coronavirus lockdown measures and several complaints from residents.
Portland Town Council is temporarily closing Cheyne Weares Car park until further notice, due to the volumes of campervans pitching up in the area.
Residents have claimed visitors in campervans have been staying overnight. Suspected coronavirus breaches have been investigated by Dorset Police.
Jim Draper, who represents the Tophill West area for Portland Town Council, said he hoped the town council wouldn’t have to shut the car park like in previous lockdowns, but officials were forced to take action.
He noted there were ‘a few campervans’ at Cheyne Weares and observed it ‘looked pretty obvious that they had been there for several days’.
Cllr Draper said: “There were fireworks and things going on in the area at New Year including a party.
“We have contacted the police a few times. We also had a lot of concerns from residents about visitors coming in and spreading coronavirus.”
He added: “In the previous lockdowns, we did close the area, but we were hoping to not have to do it this time.”
Cllr Paul Kimber said: “It is the right decision. The rules are clear about staying local.”
Portland Mayor Sandy West said the council was moved to close the car park as part of ‘keeping Portland safe' and stop any further spread of coronavirus. Portland has until recently recorded relatively low numbers of Covid-19 cases.
She said: “It was a difficult decision. But you have to draw the line somewhere and keep people safe.
“We’re in a pandemic. We have been lucky on this island, but we have to do everything we can do to ensure it is safe for people."
A spokesman for Portland Town Council said: "Due to frequent violations of the current Covid lockdown regulations at the Cheyne Weares Car park Portland Town Council have decided to temporarily close the car park.
"The Cheyne Weares car park will therefore be closed from Thursday, January 14 until further notice. We thank residents for their understanding."
Police investigate reports of lockdown breaches
A Dorset Police spokesman said: "On Friday, January 8, Dorset Police received a report of a breach of Covid-19 restrictions relating to campervans at the Cheyne Weare Car Park in Southwell Road on Portland. The information was passed to officers for awareness and the location was added to patrol plans for the area.
"Shortly before 9am on Sunday, January 10 officers attended the site and gave words of advice to two people in a campervan at the site.
"They established that the man’s vulnerable mother lived locally and he was staying in the campervan to look after her and protect her.
"We will continue to target known hotpot areas through our Op Tattoo dedicated patrols that are in place to ensure people are complying with Covid-19 restrictions and legislation.
"We all have a part to play in preventing the spread of this deadly disease, we would like to thank the vast majority of our communities who are complying with the rules and would urge those considering breaching them to think again.
"We will continue to use the 4 Es approach of escalation, where officers will engage, explain and encourage compliance and where this is not effective or there are breaches are blatant we will take enforcement action."
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