Update: The park & ride has now been re-opened, Somerset Council confirmed.

A TAUNTON park & ride is temporarily closed while the council and the police deal with an unauthorised encampment.

Motorists cannot currently access the Silk Mills Park & Ride and are asked to use the Gateway Park & Ride instead.

Travel Somerset said: “Taunton’s Silk Mills Park & Ride site is temporarily closed to allow Somerset Council and Avon and Somerset Police to deal with an unauthorised encampment.

“Please use Gateway Park & Ride instead. If you're already parked at the site you'll be able to catch a bus there and access your car.”

Last week, Somerset Council responded to reports of an unauthorised encampment.

Last Thursday, a spokesperson for Travel Somerset said: "Please be aware there is an unauthorised encampment on the Silk Mills Park and Ride site and we are taking the appropriate steps.

"Our welfare and enforcement teams will be visiting the site and a legal process is underway."

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: "The Silk Mills Park and Ride site was temporarily closed earlier today while an unauthorised encampment was moved on.

"All vehicles left the site as requested following a legal order and we were able to reopen it within a short space of time."