LEGAL action is being taken to remove a group of travellers after they set up pitch at a site near Taunton earlier this week.

A group of three caravans and four cars broke into the park and ride site at Henlade on Monday evening (April 6).

The site is prone to travellers setting up there and has had to be closed before due to travellers occupying the site.

Avon and Somerset Police say they were called to the site on Monday and have been monitoring the situation.

A spokesperson added: “We were made aware of the situation and, as this is a civil matter, we informed Somerset County Council when they moved on to the site.”

It is believed the travellers have come from Bridgwater where they had been on land adjoining Rider, in Wells Road, the day before.

Somerset County Council say that the padlocks securing the site had been removed.

A spokesperson added: “We can confirm that a small group of travellers entered the Gateway park and ride site late on Monday evening.

“Padlocks securing the site were found to have been removed.

“This has been reported to the police and we are taking legal action to remove the group as soon as possible.”

The council added that the park and ride remains open and there are additional members of staff and security on site.

Buses are said to be running as normal.

The site at Henlade has been closed twice before after travellers occupied the site.

In June last year, a group of around 30 travellers forced the site to shut for two days when they moved there.

The closure caused chaos for park and ride users but the council said it had to be closed due to health and safety concerns and reported some staff had been threatened.

In August 2012, the same site was closed for several days due to an “unlawful occupation” by travellers.