Council's response after Travellers set up camp on Taunton park - Somerset

From the Somerset County Gazette

1:33pm

Taunton Deane Council, which owns Hamilton Park, has issued a statement about the Travellers' camp after officers, accompanied by police officers, visited the scene this morning.

The statement says: "Officers from Taunton Deane Council were notified by the police late on Sunday evening the caravans had moved into Hamilton Park, Taunton.

"The council has officers on standby at weekends and public holidays to deal with emergency situations involving life and limb requiring an immediate response.

"The situation was monitored and ward councillors and executive councillors were informed.

"The Council must follow the proper legal procedures to move the Travellers off its land. Legal action was started as soon as the offices reopened on Tuesday morning."

Some readers had queried whether the bollard at the Hamilton Road entrance to the park had been damaged.

The council said: "The bollard is undamaged. It is designed to be removable to allow authorised vehicles to enter the park. Its security will be reviewed."

11:44am

THE Travellers told the County Gazette they may stay in the park for up to a week.

Traveller Lisa Johns said: "We are not doing any harm to noone. We are Travellers this is what we do. We will probably stay for a few more days."

John Stokes said that the group normally stay in one place for around a week and added that when they do move it won't be far, stating that they are likely to stay within Somerset.

11:32am

Travellers in Hamilton Park.

ONE Traveller has pitched up on the pathway, blocking the route around the park.

11:24am

Travellers at Hamilton Park.

11:18am

THE police and officials from Taunton Deane council have begun the process to evict the Travellers from Hamilton Park.

Residents say they want their park back but the Travellers insist that they are not doing any harm.

Jan Quick, who walks her dog in the park, said: "I don't think they should be here. The mess is getting worse and worse. There are lids and bottle pieces all over the green and now they are blocking the path but it's going to take time for the police to get an eviction notice."

Resident Fiona Lewis said: "I'm most concerned about the toilet facilities because there are toilet rolls around the hedge which means there is human excrement there."

Traveller John Stokes said: "We gave the police our word that we would keep it clean. You get good and bad in everybody. Some people do make a mess but we will take everything with us when we leave."

11:10am

People living near the park have reported yappy dogs and a loud generator at night as well as cars and vans driving over the field.

10:06am

The County Gazette has received reports that police are on the scene at the park at the moment. More information to follow.

8:50am

The Travellers are still camped on Hamilton Park this morning (May 7).

The path past the fair field and fire station is blocked by caravans and vehicles leaving park users having to go between the caravans, many of which have dogs, some unchained, outside them.

Travellers at the site

The park is still open to the public so these problems may not have been caused by the Travellers.

It is understood efforts to move them on have begun - keep reading for updates.

8:42am

On Sunday, we reported the following:

TRAVELLERS have pitched up on a park in Taunton.

Around a dozen caravans and several more vehicles are on Hamilton Park clustered in the fire station corner.

Travellers' vans have been driving over the middle of the field to use the access point on Hamilton Road.

It is understood efforts to move them on have begun but Taunton Deane Council, which owns the park is closed for the Bank Holiday.

see also: - The Somerset County Gazette - UPDATE: More Travellers arrive in Hamilton Park, Taunton

The Somerset County Gazette 10/05/13 - Update: More Travellers arrive in Hamilton Park, Taunton

The Somerset County Gazette 11/05/13 - Update: More Travellers arrive in Hamilton Park, Taunton

ITV 11/05/13 - Row over Travellers' camp

Western Morning News 11/05/11 - Travellers face prosecution for parking in park

The Somerset County Gazette 12/05/13 - Update: Dozens of bin bags and mess at Taunton Park after Travellers leave

The Western Daily Press - Travellers pack up and leave Taunton park

ITV - Travellers must leave Taunton park by midday

The Somerset County Gazette 13/05/13 - Update: Dozens of bin bags and mess at Taunton park after Travellers leave

This Is The Westcountry - £2,000 clean-up bill after Travellers leave Hamilton Park, Taunton