A GROUP of travellers has been served with a notice today warning them to move on in 24 hours after they set up camp on land owned by Sedgemoor District Council. 

A small group of travellers pitched up on a grassed area in Marine Drive outside Apex Park yesterday evening (April 23). 

A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council, said: "There is a small group of travellers on the grassed area in Marine Drive outside Apex Park, on SDC land. 

"We believe they arrived during yesterday evening.

"Our legal team is, this morning, serving notice on the travellers giving them 24 hours to move on as well as carrying out the statutory checks at the same time.

"If they have not gone within that time, we will start court proceedings tomorrow. "

Burnham-on-Sea MP James Heappey said there is 'no excuse' for illegal encampments and said he hopes the travellers will move on 'as quickly as possible.' 

 “I have contacted Sedgemoor District Council and they have assured me legal staff have visited the site today, planning to issue a notice for the travellers to move on unless there are any mitigating circumstances," Mr Heappey said. 

“I will be seeking a further update tomorrow morning.

"There is no excuse for illegal encampments and I trust that this one will be moved on as quickly as possible.

"Sedgemoor’s speed of response shows that Burnham-on-Sea and the surrounding area will be much more difficult for travellers to illegally encamp this summer.

“Local residents need to see that travellers are not above the law and that our local authorities are exercising the powers they have quickly to minimise disruption.”