FED-UP residents living in Henlade and Ruishton are calling on something to be done about travellers at the Henlade Park and Ride site.

Last week, travellers moved on to the site - the third time in the last month to have done so.

The site remained open and they were gone within 24 hours, but nearby residents say they feel threatened when the site is occupied and are calling for something to be done.

Mike Marshall, vice-chairman of Ruishton Parish Council, said it was time physical measures were implemented.

He said: "They may be very nice people for all I know but many people from Ruishton and Henlade walk past the site to walk their dogs and feel threatened when travellers are there.

"This is the third time at least this year that travellers have occupied the site, last year the site had to be closed on one occasion.

"It's time that action was taken, but whenever I inquire with the county council, I'm just told that installing CCTV or taking other measures wouldn't represent value for money.

"But what about how much it costs to remove the travellers, clean up the mess that is left behind and employ security staff?"

County Councillor for the division Ross Henley said action needed to be taken to stop the problem happening.

He added: "Residents are concerned and the Park and Ride is one of the first things people making their way into Taunton see and it doesn't give a good impression if the site is occupied.

"Action is taken when they're on the site, but action needs to be taken so that they don't get on the site.

"I am calling a meeting with the county council, the police and the bus company to see what can be done."

Somerset County Council told Mr Marshall it was limited in options open to them in terms of physical or legal deterrents.

The County Gazette understands that over the past year, two security reviews have been carried out in light of the number of occupations by travellers on the site.

The authority has considered a number of options including installing a height barrier, automatic barriers/bollards and CCTV.

But it said height barriers would not be able to be installed on bus entrances meaning travellers could get in that way and that the barriers and bollards are unreliable and expensive to install and maintain.

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: "We share people’s frustrations and are currently exploring whether there is a suitable, permanent solution to prevent traveller groups accessing the park and ride sites. "However, even if a solution can be found, we will then need to consider any cost implications and assess this against the current policy of dealing with isolated incidents reactively."