A group of travellers who have set up an illegal camp on a lay-by near Bristol have been prohibited from moving on - because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The group of four caravans arrived in Portbury on Sunday evening parking up in the lay-by on the A369 at the top of Portbury High Street.
It is understood the group arrived in the village after being turned away from a site in neighbouring Avonmouth.
The lay-by is normally used as a car park by car sharing commuters heading into Bristol and further afield.
However it is actually classed as a public highway, making it illegal to sleep in a caravan on it.
In the past it has also been used by delivery drivers as a place to stay overnight.
North Somerset Council said the group had been prohibited from moving on due to the current travel restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Council spokeswoman Zoe Briffitt said: “We are aware of the group of travellers and they have been prohibited from travelling further to reach their home given the current travel restrictions.
"It is likely we will tolerate the group, subject to concluding our enquiries.
"The government advice is very clear in that there should be no unnecessary travel by anyone and as a council we should not be encouraging unnecessary travel.
"Gypsy and Traveller communities are known to face some of the most severe health inequalities and poor life outcomes amongst the UK population, even when compared with other socially deprived or excluded groups, and with other ethnic minorities.
"This means that within Gypsy and Traveller communities, there is a disproportionately high representation of people who are at increased risk of severe illness from Covid 19.
"The Friends, Families and Travelers Group have issued advice which in summary encourages toleration and the provision of basic facilities.
"The police have received their own guidance and have been in contact locally requesting provision is made for toleration.
"The courts have produced a list of cases which will be heard and possession orders for unauthorised encampments, is not a high priority.
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"However, this advice has been considered by our senior management and in consultation with the Executive and they have agreed that groups should be tolerated where possible."
North Somerset is a popular stop off with travellers during the summer months when they arrive in the district looking for work.
Portbury Parish Council chairman Councillor Mike Phipps said: “The caravans arrived on the lay-by on Sunday.
“A health care professional I the village has made direct contact with the group and has been in touch with North Somerset Council.”
Currently the council has no transient sites for travellers where they can be moved onto.
However the district does offer a number of permanent pitches for the travelling community including the Willowmead site and a newly developed site at the Old Junction Yard, both in Weston-super-Mare.
