LEGAL action is being taken to remove a group of travellers after they set up camp in Burnham-on-Sea. 

The travellers pitched up on a grassed area on Marine Drive, which is owned by Sedgemoor District Council, on Monday (April 23). 

The council served them with a notice yesterday (April 24) giving them 24 hours to move on from the area. 

But today, a spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council said the travellers are still on the land and the council's legal staff have gone to Weston Court to apply for a Possession Order.  

A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council, said: "The travellers are still on our land. 

"Our legal staff have gone to Weston Court this morning to start legal proceedings."

Here is the process SDC takes to remove travellers from their land. 

  • The travellers are issued with a letter advising that they are occupying council land without consent and are usually required to vacate within 24 hours
  • If they do not vacate an application is made to the county court for a Possession Order and the notice of hearing is then served on the travellers.
  • Under court rules, travellers must be given three clear days’ notice of the hearing, not including the day that the notice was served, the day of the hearing and not including week-ends or bank holidays; which is why is takes at least a week to move them on.
  • If they do not vacate, the council attends the court hearing and seeks an order for possession forthwith. This is then usually served on the travellers the same day with the instruction that they vacate within 24 hours.
  • If they still do not vacate, the police and bailiffs are called in to assist with the removal