MINEHEAD town councillors have held urgent talks with other authorities in a bid to prevent another invasion of motorhomes on to the seafront which last summer angered residents and was claimed to pose a major health risk.

At weekends, up to 50 motorhomes were cashing in on free overnight accommodation and toilet facilities by parking on land which neither Somerset County Council nor Somerset West and Taunton council would admit they owned.

But after a meeting last week between the three authorities, county and district council officers agreed to investigate the ownership of the harbourside land at Quay West and report back in January.

They also pledged that the problem would be the first to be investigated by a forthcoming parking review, for which the public’s views would be invited. “We are hoping that at long last we will see some actual movement on this problem,” the mayor, Cllr Paul Bolton, told the town council’s meeting on Tuesday.

“We put our points fairly forcefully because we are all fed up with the way this has dragged on, and the problems campervans have caused”.

Town clerk Sam Rawle said council officers acknowledged that it was important to clarify who owned the land known as the Triangle on which motorhomes parked.

The current situation was unsatisfactory and many residents had been unable to use their parking spaces, she said.

Cllr Terry Venner added: “What I find extraordinary is that the county and district councils don’t know who actually owns that piece of land and both claim the other has ownership.

“There are, in fact, four parking bays for motorhomes which were created by the previous district council, but they are not being charged for.

“Last week’s meeting was a good start but there is still a long way to go. We need to know who actually owns this area.”

Cllr Anne Lawton said: “I don’t understand why there should be any parking spaces for motorhomes on the roads at Quay West. They should be encouraged to use the proper campsites.”

And Cllr John Malin said he hoped the parking review would result in new parking regulations which would help to solve the motorhome problem in time for the start of next year’s holiday season.