A HAMPSHIRE railway station was returning to normal today after a day of disruption caused by travellers who set up camp.

Commuters arriving at Eastleigh station found almost all the spaces were occupied by camper vans and other vehicles lining both sides of the parking area.

Part of the car park had been turned into a sitting-out area, with chairs surrounded by a large amount of litter.

South Western Railway (SWR) launched legal action against the travellers but they left of their own accord, leaving rail bosses to organise a massive clean-up operation.

Last night SWR said the station would be operating normally today.

More than 20 vehicles arrived on Sunday and occupied the parking area between Station Hill and the platform used by London-bound trains.

Yesterday commuters found the car park closed to the public, with large orange barriers across the entrance and exit.

A police car and a Network Rail Response Unit vehicle were parked outside the station entrance. Three uniformed police officers remained at the scene throughout the morning to prevent any breach of the peace.

One man arriving on foot to catch a train said: “It’s disgusting.

“With industrial action and increasing rail fares commuters have got enough to put up with without travellers occupying the station car park.

“They’ve created a huge amount of litter which will have to be cleared up. I just hope they’re moved on as quickly as possible.”

SWR vowed to take court against against the travellers unless they left voluntarily.

A SWR spokesman said: “We’ve told the travellers to leave and hope that legal action will not be necessary. If they don’t leave the site we will evict them and have already instructed our solicitors to start this process.”

Eastleigh Borough Council added: “The council is aware of an unauthorised encampment on an area of private land.

“The travellers moved onto the site on Sunday. Council officers are liaising with the landowner and are continuing to monitor the situation.”

Station staff said police told them the travellers intended to leave by the evening, but the exodus started at lunchtime.

In a separate development, a group of travellers have camped out on a grass verge in Southampton.

A city council spokesman said: “There are approximately nine caravans, plus vehicles at the site. Procedures have been started and the council have carried out the necessary checks, which will be followed by appropriate action.”