Van dwellers ‘Many thousands’ expected for ‘show of support’

THE first major event of a campaign group set up in response to the ongoing issue of people living in vans and caravans on The Downs in Bristol is being organised.

- Tristan CORK

Billed as a ‘Show of Support’ walk, the event on June 12 is being organised by the new Protect the Downs campaign group, formed following a public meeting held back in late March, which saw frustrated residents told it could take a year before council chiefs take action.

Protect The Downs has been formed since then, from a couple of the local residents’ groups already set up in Westbury Park and Sneyd Park. The group's organisers say it “aims to hold Bristol City Council accountable for enforcing existing restrictions and bylaws, ensuring the Downs are preserved for legitimate public use by families, walkers, athletes, educators, wildlife-lovers, festival goers from all over our city”.

The first event organised as part of that campaign will be a ‘Show of Support’ walk around the Downs on the evening of Thursday, June 12, with people asked to gather at the Water Tower from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.