PROJECT manager Rod Turner told road protesters to leave when he confronted them near Two Mile Coppice in Weymouth.

He appealed for the eco-warriors to abandon their campaign against the town's relief road when he visited their camp off Dorchester Road.

But the protesters refused to go and vowed to step up their fight to halt the £54.6 million Orange Route.

Now Mr Turner, who is project manager for the road at Dorset County Council, is threatening legal action to evict them from the site near the Manor Road Roundabout.

He said to the protesters: "I am asking you to leave.

"You are not authorised to be here."

Mr Turner told the protesters that the Orange Route would have environmentally friendly spin-offs as it would reduce congestion and pollution but also be part of integrated transport plans in the area.

He added: "You are all welcome to come and see the plans and information we have at County Hall in Dorchester."

Mr Turner met two of the protesters at the site, which included tents and a tower covered in tarpaulin on the site of a tunnel.

Dave Murphy, 25, and Sophie Taylor, 22, said the rest of the group had gone into town and that there were up to 12 protesters in total with more due to arrive. Mr Murphy told Mr Turner: "We are here for the long haul. We live here now."

Miss Taylor added: "Whenever the planet needs saving we come to its rescue."

The protesters are camped on the route of a spur road for the Orange Route which will run from the roundabout, alongside the railway line through Two Mile Coppice, through Littlemoor and over to the Ridgeway.

Mr Murphy added: "How can there be a good environmental reason about ploughing up trees.

"There is too much congestion but is the answer to carry on building roads?

"The train line runs along the route of your road and how many times have we seen empty trains go past?"

Now the next big step for the council is to lodge a planning application next July.

Mr Turner said: "The bottom line is that they will be evicted.

"I am confident that this road will be built.

"Council members are fully behind it and have given it the highest priority."