Travellers park up in Portishead - Somerset

From Portishead People

TRAVELLERS have parked up on the site of a former industrial unit in Portishead – but say they will be off soon.

A small group of two to three caravans arrived on the former Hydrex site at Serbert Way on Tuesday morning and were followed by further caravans.

By Tuesday evening there were around seven caravans on the land along with numerous vehicles.

The group, which are parked up opposite Busy Bees Nursery, were still there yesterday this morning.

North Somerset Council has been informed and an area officer is monitoring the situation and a team is due to go out and assess the group's needs.

It is understood that when asked by local people, the Travellers said they were planning to move on within a couple of days.

But as the land is privately owned, the authority has little powers to move them on.

Portishead councillor Arthur Terry said: "Land in this area has not been adopted by the council and therefore it is the responsibility of the landowner to move this group on.

"I suspect Portishead is an attractive option to the travelling community as it is close to the M5 and there are parcels of land such as this.

"I am sure tenants in the local area have contacted the landlord with a view to getting this group moved on as quickly as possible."

Police have also been down to the site.

North Somerset Council spokeswoman, Becky Slade, said: "We are aware of the group of Travellers on Serbert Way.

"Our staff will go out to the group and carry out an assessment.

"Because it is commercial land and owned privately it is the responsibility of the landowner to take action to move the group on.

"We are monitoring the situation."