TRAVELLERS who set up an unauthorised encampment near Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa in Taunton have now moved from the site.

The land, part of a community leisure complex, is owned by Taunton Deane Borough Council and the authority is now organising for the site to be cleared of waste and litter.

The council has an agreed procedure when dealing with unauthorised encampments and has obligations to the individuals in terms of assessing health and housing needs. Questionnaires are provided so any issues can be highlighted.

An initial letter telling the travellers to leave the Blackbrook site and the personal circumstances questionnaire were served on Wednesday, May 9.

A legal document called a Direction, provided under Section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, was served on Friday, May 11, directing them to leave within two days.

When they failed to comply, a summons was served on the travellers last Wednesday (May 16) notifying them that a date had been fixed for a court hearing last Friday.

At the hearing the court granted an order requiring the travellers to remove any vehicle or other property on the land and anyone living in any vehicle The court order was issued to the travellers on Friday evening and they left the site over the weekend.

Any costs of clearing up and waste disposal will have to be met through the council’s street cleansing budget.