Dislodging unapproved traveller camps set up in public places in Hastings, Bridgwater, or Burnham-on-Sea can be a long, annoying, and challenging task to carry out.
To remove them in Taunton, the council must obtain a court order.
But getting this court order is not an easy task due to the laws and issues, the authorities have to consider before travellers eviction in Somerset can be carried out.
The Somerset council has no obligation to help in the eviction process; therefore, the headache can be double for owners of private land in Taunton.
However, the Somerset council has the responsibility to force the Taunton owners to remove the travellers who have illegally camped at their property.
The travellers from Hastings, Burnham-on-Sea, or Bridgwater can only build camps on the land in Taunton they have taken permission for.
Areas where parking is not allowed include the following:
Roads, right of way, or the highway in Taunton in a manner which would pose a threat to the safety to other road users
On cultivated land like a farm land in Somerset
Enclosed locations that is privately owned in Taunton
Some councils have waste ground areas in Hastings, Bridgwater, or Burnham-on-Sea that travellers can use temporarily as unapproved sites for camping.
A representative will take a visit to the site in Taunton if the travellers have parked on council land and he'll make the final assessment about whether they should be moved on or not.
A Somerset council member will need to decide how long they are planning to stay in Taunton, if someone is sick, disabled or pregnant-there might be a chance of transferring them-and any safety issues surrounding the venue, for example, if it is by train.
The Somerset council will also put into consideration the size of the area in Taunton to determine if it appropriate for the vehicles parked, the use of the land and if it will be used later, any harm to the land and what will be consequences to society.
The council may take the responsibility of providing the travellers from Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, or Hastings with facilities in Taunton including bin bags and portable washrooms but at a fee.
Besides, travellers might ask the council to supply these facilities in Taunton for public health and safety reasons.
In the event of eviction, local authorities in Somerset must apply for court orders and injunctions.
The first step is for the council to confirm the travellers are camping on land in Taunton without their permission.
Eviction time will depend upon the court hearing date in Taunton.
In most cases, travellers in Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, or Hastings come into an agreement with the council on the departure date to avoid forceful removal in Somerset.
Police can be contacted by the Council or the landowner in Taunton if trespassing is observed on a traveller site in Somerset and police can evict them from the site on an immediate basis if; There are two or more people encamping on the site, There are 6 or more vehicles parked on the site, If anyone of the travellers has damaged the site, Threatening or abusive behaviour is shown by the travellers.
The police will give instruction to the traveller camp to vacate the Taunton area if it is safe to do so.
The travellers will be given time to pack their belongings and also fix their vehicles in case they have broken-down in Bridgwater, Hastings, or Burnham-on-Sea.
If travellers are insistent in remaining on the property in Taunton within the specified period, or if they come back to the same land in Somerset within 90 days, this is regarded as a criminal violation.
This could end up in a prison sentencing or fine if found guilty.
The police can also tow away vehicles on the land in Taunton, which will then be destroyed if not claimed within 21 days.
If this happens you should contact your local council in Somerset and alert them so they can carry out their research for the well-being of the travellers and their effects on the local area community in Taunton if they continue camping in the said area.
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