FURTHER investigation will be done to see what action can be taken to stop travellers setting up camp on Taunton open space, the leader of the borough council said.

More than 650 people have signed a petition from residents who live around Kingston Stream in Taunton who are urging the council to provide preventative measures and obtain an injunction to prevent illegal camp sites on the land.

The petition was presented to councillors at a Taunton Deane Borough Council meeting on Tuesday (October 2).

Councillor John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said he will ask officers to 'redouble' their efforts to find a suitable site for travellers and he will look again at the prospect of an injunction and the use of boulders to deter travellers.

"We are working on this, we are trying to find a sensible solution - but we've got to find one which is deliverable across the other areas of Taunton," Cllr Williams said.

"A transit camp is still very much on the cards.

"We are being frustrated by legal procedures as the last resident living on the site has refused to leave.

"We will redouble our efforts to finding a suitable site and would support an investigation whole heartedly."

Liz Goldworthy spoke on behalf of residents who live near Kingston Stream and said travellers caused havoc when they set up camp on the site three times in two months.

She said residents were subjected to intimidation and abuse and travellers left the area littered with human waste and rubbish.

"We urge the council to take action immediately to prevent this vulnerable site, to avoid a repeat of the months of hell experienced over the summer," Liz said.

"Residents have quite frankly had enough."

Councillor Marcia Hill, who lives near Kingston Stream, said she thinks an injunction needs to be considered.

"I totally support this petition. I live just two streets away from where the travellers set up camp over the summer and saw first hand the devastating effects it had on residents," Cllr Hill said.

"I think the boulders can be quite attractive and they require no maintenance.

"I think we do need to look at an injunction as it could help to remove them."

But Councillor Ian Morrell said the petition was calling for 'definitive action' not further investigation and said an end date needs to be set so it can be brought back to full council for consideration.

After a lengthy debate Councillor Catherine Herbert, mayor of Taunton Deane said: "I think we are drifting towards further investigation with a report coming back in February 2019 for full council in March 2019."

But Cllr Morrell hit back and said the report needed to be prepared sooner.

"That's too long. We are looking at a matter that has been investigated for a long time and we need to get the report in November."

Cllr Herbert said if solicitors can prepare the report earlier she would be 'ecstatic' but she thinks the longer time frame is more realistic.

Councillors agreed further investigation will be undertaken with reports due back no later than February 2019.