Vehicle dwellers Still no detail on how 'enforcement action' will work

A WEEK after announcing it would begin the process of removing live-in vehicles parked along the edge of The Downs, Bristol City Council has not provided any information about how it intends to take action.

- Angus MCINTYRE

Vans and caravans parked on the Downs

(Pic: Paul Gillis)

Last Tuesday the council issued a statement that it was going to start enforcement action on the matter due to receiving detailed evidence of parts of the Downs being used as a toilet, declaring the area a 'High Impact' site.

"Clearly, we cannot just stand back and allow this to happen," a statement cosigned by Councillors Barry Parsons and Stephen Williams said.

"We have a duty to make sure the Downs is accessible to all and that we are not allowing parts of it to become 'no go' zones."

The council said it had taken some immediate steps to address the health issues caused by the problem, including asking Bristol Waste to clear the affected areas.

The statement then continued, "However, we appreciate this is not a long-term solution, and we are currently working on an enforcement plan to begin to move the group of lived in vehicles from the Downs.