LEGAL action is in progress after travellers occupied Barry Island’s Nell’s Point car park on Tuesday, October 10.

The Vale council took action against the unauthorised occupation after the travellers bypassed locked front gates and entered the area in the evening by driving over alligator teeth at the car park exit.

Council officers advised the group that their stay was unauthorised and unlawful and would not be tolerated.

South Wales Police have been informed and legal action is progressing to ensure they can be evicted as soon as possible.

In a statement on their website the council said: “There is a strict process that must be followed in the event of the occupation of land by gypsy and traveller groups and once this has been completed the travellers will be given a deadline by which to leave the site.

“Every effort is being made to ensure this issue can be resolved at the earliest opportunity.

“Signs have been put in place informing the public of the situation and officers will remain on site to monitor developments.”

The car park will be closed in the meantime.

Vale council leader, Cllr John Thomas said: “The occupation of council land in this way is completely unacceptable. The area was not designed for this purpose and the presence of this group is preventing other law-abiding residents from using it.

“We are taking this matter extremely seriously and are doing everything possible to ensure it can be resolved as quickly as possible.”

In October 2015, two groups of travellers were removed from Nell’s Point, in Barry Island, following an order granted by a judge at Cardiff’s Civil Justice Centre.