Travellers set up camp on bypass - Somerset

From the Somerset Standard

Travellers threatened with court action after they set up camp on Frome Cheese show field last week have relocated to land off the Beckington bypass.

Eviction notices were issued to the group after six caravans, vans and cars pitched up on the show field three weeks ago.

Last Wednesday the cavalcade moved on, a day after a second notice to quit was served, and moved three miles down the road to land owned by Somerset County Council at the end of a no through road off the Warminster roundabout.

Sergeant Rachel Clark, of Frome police, said officers were patrolling the area daily to give reassurance to residents.

A spokesman for the county council said it had received a report of Travellers on the old A36 near Standerwick Court.

On Tuesday the council's senior enforcement officer visited the site to assess the situation. A letter was given to the travellers informing them that they had no permission to occupy the land.

The spokesman added: "We will continue to monitor the situation as we are fully aware of the impact the encampment is having and there is another visit planned today (Thursday) to service notice on the Travellers to quit the land."

Meanwhile, a clean-up operation organised by Mendip District Council has been under way at the show field.