A SOMERSET councillor says urgent action is needed to resolve the frequent 'unauthorised encampments' set up by travellers in the Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea areas.

Cllr Gill Slocombe - also a Bridgwater town councillor - said that creating more dedicated sites for them to stay in was the only way to solve the problem.

Cllr Slocombe raised the issue at a Somerset full council meeting, pointing out that this year Somerset has experienced numerous unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments, particularly in Burnham-on-Sea area and now even in new locations such as the Victoria Park play area in Bridgwater.

In her statement, Cllr Slocombe said: “At the present time, we are not providing sites for those gypsies and travellers who are travelling through or visiting the county, sometimes not for long.

"Without this provision, we are not meeting our responsibilities, contributing to community tensions towards this group and incurring ongoing costs for this council and our town councils.”

She proposed incorporating gypsy and traveller pitches into the council’s affordable housing plans.

“This is a very serious situation," Cllr Slocombe added.

"It’s gone on for many, many years and I don’t think it can be ignored, and I hope something now will be done."

Responding to councillor Slocombe’s concerns, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, lead member for communities, housing, and culture, acknowledged the validity of the points raised.

She agreed on the necessity of more transient sites, particularly along the M5 corridor.

However, she also highlighted the challenge of identifying available land and the current lack of budget for this purpose.

“It’s certainly something that we can take away within the team and look to see what we can do over the next year or so, but I don’t think it’s going to be a quick fix," Cllr Smith-Roberts said.

Bridgwater Town Council has recently increased security measures at Victoria Park in a bid to deter travellers from congregating at the site following several recent incidents.

A spokesperson said: "There is now a heavy duty 'kick rail' together with larger boulders along the boundary.

"We are also planning to protect other open spaces that may be more prone to access to ensure our communities can continue to enjoy these areas."