EVICTION is looming for the tunnelling protesters at Bar End in Winchester as the new park-and-ride extension opens today.

Environmental campaigners, who have been entrenched by the site since June, say they believe the authorities will try to kick them out this week.

Today security guards were closely watching them as cars gradually filled the car park via the new entrance in Garnier Road.

King Arthur Pendragon this morning climbed to the top of a tripod declaring his defiance of the constructors and security staff.

Workmen have erected more fencing to deter any protesters from climbing into the car park.

The campaigners are on land between the current St Catherine's View park and ride, and the new 428-space extension.

An crucial access road from St Catherine's View onto the new car park has yet to be completed.

Building work is being hampered by the presence of the small party of protesters who have burrowed tunnels under the proposed link.

With the current St Catherines View now closed for refurbishment, and Winchester City Council hoping the entire facility will open by January 15, the campaigners think an eviction attempt is imminent.

However they are warning the authorities that they will not leave their camp easily.

Tunnels are already in place, as are tree-strung walkways and a giant A-frame, which the protestors are promising to chain themselves to.

Bryan Reed, one of the campaigners, said: "I'm not going anywhere."

One of the campaigners, King Arthur Pendragon, said: "It has been known for protestors to stay down tunnels and avoid eviction for more than a month.

"And we have some pretty experienced protestors at the camp."

However the city council, the park and ride operators, and Hampshire County Council, which is building it, are equally keen to see it fully open.

They see it as vital not only to reduce congestion in the city centre - it has just become the first in the county to have an 'Air Quality Management Order' slapped on it - but also to maintain the city's prosperity.

The county council has offered a 22-acre site on Alresford Road as compensation for the loss of the meadow which has grown on the former A33 bypass.

The battle started after the county council submitted plans to build the park and ride extension on the meadow in 1996.

The meadow was given as compensation for the loss of Twyford Down when the M3 was extended in 1994.

Environmentalists and groups such as the Winchester Residents Association then launched lengthy legal battles to stop the plans going ahead.

However those attempts finally failed in the spring when the heavy machinery moved in to build on the 6.5 acre site.

No-one was available for comment from either Hampshire County Council or Winchester City Council on whether eviction proceedings will be launched.