BARRIERS aimed to prevent unauthorised encampments have been installed at a Taunton park-and-ride site.

Work to install two height barriers has been completed at the Silk Mills Park and Ride Car Park, in Taunton, after the site was repeatedly home to unauthorised groups in recent years.

Now, vehicles over two metres in height will be unable to access the site.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, lead member for transport and waste services at Somerset Council, said: “These barriers are a practical step to improve security; help prevent unauthorised encampments and ensure the site remains safe and free from disruption.”

Earlier this year, a teenager was handed a detention order after setting fire to seven minibuses at the Silk Mills site.

Elsewhere in the county town, Taunton Town Council is pursuing a number of tactics to prevent unauthorised encampments on public land, including the installation of bollards at several parks.

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