Travellers set up camp on busy public car park in Keynsham

Travellers have set up camp at a car park in Keynsham town centre. More than 15 caravans are parked up in the Bath and North East Somerset Council-owned Bath Hill East car park, having arrived overnight.

Due to the size of the caravans and number of associated cars, many are parked across several spaces and take up around two thirds of the car park, which is usually busy on Friday with shoppers and workers.

This morning, Avon and Somerset Police officers arrived at around 8am and could be seen speaking to some of the people inside the caravans, before leaving by 8.45am.

Some of the car park closest to the Bath Road can still be used by motorists, and walkers can still access the River Chew path toward Steel Mills. The car park has 158 spaces, and costs from 60p for up to two hours’ stay after charges went up.

A police force spokesperson said: “Police are aware of an unauthorised encampment at Bath Hill East car park in Keynsham and are in contact with Bath and North East Somerset Council after the caravans pitched up on Thursday evening, 16 March.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council was also asked for comment. The authority has one gypsy and traveller site at Carswood View in Bath.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for planning and licensing, said: “We are aware of the encampment and our environmental protection team will be visiting to assess the situation this morning.”