THE park and ride site near Junction 25 of the M5 at Taunton is closed this morning.

Somerset County Council says it is taking action to try and get Gateway Park and Ride open as soon as possible.

It is taking legal action against a group of travellers camped on the site at Ruishton.

The council has tweeted: "Unfortunately the Gateway Park & Ride at junction 25 near Taunton is closed - a group of travellers is on the site.

"A legal process is underway & we'll try and get the site open again ASAP.

"Silk Mills P&R remains open.

"We apologise for any inconvenience."

A number of caravans were driven onto the Gateway site on Friday morning, although the council said then that bus services were unaffected.

It gave the travellers until 6pm on Friday to leave.

A spokesman said on Friday: “A group of travellers entered the Gateway Park and ride this morning but the site has been open as usual all day and we expect it to be open as usual on Monday.

“An injunction is already in place preventing travellers gathering at the Park and Ride and as a result, the travellers are already in breach of that injunction.

"We have served a demand upon the travellers requiring them to leave by 6pm today (Friday).

"The injunction means we have been able to take these legal steps immediately rather than after a notice period as was the case before.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and take enforcement action if the travellers do not comply with the timescale in the demands served.”

Chard & Ilminster News: