'This is heartbreaking': Tensions rise between van-dwellers and protestors on Bristol Downs
In recent months, the number of people living in vans and caravans around the Downs has increased significantly - to an estimated one hundred people.
Campaigners argue that this puts pedestrians at risk and is damaging to the environment. They say the council is failing to protect van-dwellers and those who wish to enjoy green space in the city.
'A complex situation'
In a statement responding to the upset, Barry Parsons, Chair of Bristol City Council's homes and housing delivery Committee, acknowledged the complexity of the situation.
He said: "The number of people living in vehicles and caravans in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years and we recognise the challenges this growth in the size and number of encampments raises for our city.
"We have to acknowledge it's a complex situation, and one I and others have spoken about on many occasions in the past twelve months.
"Fundamentally we want to make sure that all communities, including those living in vehicles or caravans, and those in homes in neighbourhoods, have a meaningful and fair chance to live healthy and safe lives.
"This means we need to take action on a number of fronts to make sure we are balancing the needs of everyone, whilst prioritising our efforts where the need is greatest.
"Our latest estimates are that there's between 640 to 680 lived-in vehicles and caravans on the kerbside, on private and council sites, with some squatting on land in parts of the city. This figure doesn't include the number of transient Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups who visit the city throughout the year – and this is a group of people who we can expect to see more of during the next few months as we're now into the summer season.
"While people living in vehicles and caravans are spread across our city, we recognise that the size and concentration of the group bordering The Downs is larger than all other encampments."
He continued: "I also recognise the unique challenges that comes with having such a large group of people living in vehicles next to one of our city's most popular green spaces and in such close proximity to large neighbourhoods.
"This is why we are focussing increasingly more of our time and effort on this part of the city. What this time and effort translates into is a range of actions being taken to find that balance we need."
The council says its aims fall into two categories- supporting those living in vehicles to remain healthy and safe and focusing on how it manages the green space of the Downs
It says it's taking proactive steps to apply for an injunction for the grassed areas of The Downs and Ladies Mile, which if secured, will allow officers to move vehicles that pitch up more quickly than usual.
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Well, so there are. And Ms Abbott knows, because she's black. Few Jewish people and Travellers are. Of course, it may be apparent to some people who is Jewish or Traveller or who isn't. I, for instance, can usually tell who's a Traveller, but that's because I've been accustomed to seeing Travellers most of my life. As for Jews, many of my friends and colleagues who are Jewish don't look, at least to me, different. If you wear special clothes or hair – if you're an Orthodox Jew who dresses as such – you will be readily identifiable, but that's rather more to do with culture and religion than ethnicity, no?
