THE long-running dispute over caravans and van dwellers on The Downs has entered a new phase following legal action by Bristol City Council.
As reported in May’s Voice, Bristol City Council secured a possession order at Bristol County Court, giving it legal powers to remove lived-in vehicles from roads surrounding The Downs if residents failed to leave voluntarily. The order covered key roads around the area, including Circular Road, Stoke Road and Saville Road.
The council said the action was necessary because conditions linked to the encampments had become a public health hazard, citing concerns over sanitation, waste accumulation and environmental impacts on the surrounding area.
The council was later also granted an expanded injunction until May 2027, allowing it to act more quickly against new encampments and preventing removed vehicles from returning. The original injunction covered only the grassed areas of the Downs, but it has been extended to include surrounding roads.
The council’s action followed months of campaigning by residents’ group Protect the Downs.
Sharon Scott, vice chair of Protect The Downs, welcomed the moves, saying: “This is a positive move for the people of Bristol who use The Downs.
“Bristol City Council have woken up and realised that our green spaces must be protected. They are now able to focus on the truly vulnerable who need help and they can direct them to the support they need as well as meanwhile sites.”
Tony Nelson, chair of Protect The Downs, also hailed the action. He csaid the group, who are all volunteers, had worked tirelessly to keep pressure on the council.
He said the legal rulings marked “an important step in restoring and protecting one of Bristol’s most treasured public spaces for everyone to enjoy.”