Somerset Council has confirmed that there is currently no set timeline for establishing a permanent transit site for travellers in the county. This follows numerous instances over the summer where travellers have occupied public spaces such as Stoney Furlong in Taunton, Parkway Park in Bridgwater, and the South Esplanade in Burnham-on-Sea.
In August, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts acknowledged that these encampment issues would persist until a permanent site was secured and pledged to establish a taskforce to identify potential locations. However, she has since admitted that no firm deadline has been established for when such a site will be operational.
At a council executive committee meeting in Taunton on November 5, Councillor Tom Power raised concerns about unauthorised encampments, particularly in Glastonbury and Burnham-on-Sea. He requested an update on the taskforce’s progress and the expected timeline for implementing a designated traveller transit site.
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Ms Smith-Roberts, portfolio holder for communities, council housing, culture, equalities, and diversity, outlined actions taken over the past three months to mitigate unauthorised encampments. These include installing site protection measures at the Silk Mills park and ride in Taunton and evaluating potential security upgrades at the Bridgwater BM car park. She also reported collaboration with the Burnham town traveller engagement group to enhance security at the Bay Centre, which saw no encampments in 2025 after improvements were made with concrete blocks. Further enhancements at the South Esplanade and Priory Gardens are underway and expected over the winter.
Regarding a permanent solution, Ms Smith-Roberts emphasized ongoing “constructive” discussions about establishing a temporary stopping place while the council continues to search for a long-term site. She highlighted the value of learning from Bristol City Council’s experience with ‘meanwhile sites’—temporary plots used pending future development—as a potential model. Early talks with stakeholders, including the police, have been promising, suggesting a suitable site could be found.
The Glastonbury town deal’s ‘enabling project’ may provide an opportunity to pilot a temporary transit site, offering safe off-road accommodation for travellers and supporting wider regeneration efforts in the Beckery area. Previously, plans for a permanent site north of Porchestall Drove were abandoned after the area became prone to flooding. The council is now considering alternative sites in the region, as Avalon Community Energy pursues a solar farm project on the former location.
Concluding, Ms Smith-Roberts stated that without a current permanent transit site, it is not possible to provide a definitive timetable for delivery, but efforts continue to identify viable options and engage with the community throughout the process.