![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_A-view-of-vans-and-caravans-by-the-side-of-a-road-in-Clifton-Down.jpg\")
A view of vans and caravans by the side of a road in Clifton Down(Image: Paul Gillis \/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\nThere are an estimated 130 lived-in vans or caravans on the Downs and 680 across the cityA view of vans and caravans by the side of a road in Clifton Down(Image: Paul Gillis \/ Reach PLC)<\/p>\n
Council chiefs are seeking a legal injunction to help tackle the issue of people living in vans and caravans on the Downs in Bristol – but only on the grass, not on the road.<\/p>\n
As locals residents prepare to take part in a \u2018Show of Support\u2019 walk<\/a> around the Downs today as part of their campaign calling for van dwellers to be moved on, the man in charge of housing in at City Hall released a 750-word statement about what the council is doing to address the issue across the city.<\/p>\n Cllr Barry Parsons (Green, Easton<\/a>) announced that the council was seeking to take out a court injunction, but it would only be one that covered people living in vehicles parked on the grassed areas of the Downs. There are an estimated 130-plus vans or caravans parked on the roads that criss-cross the Downs, with people living in most of them.<\/p>\n Cllr Parsons reiterated that he had a duty to both the people living in traditional homes around the Downs as well as to people living in vans and caravans on the Downs itself. He also pointed out that there are an estimated 640 to 680 van and caravan dwellers across the city – so the Downs only accounts for around one-sixth of the overall issue.<\/p>\n There are several lived-in vans parked on most residential streets in places outside the Residents’ Parking Zone areas, like Bedminster<\/a>, Knowle<\/a>, Brislington<\/a> and Easton – some within just a few feet of people\u2019s homes.<\/p>\n On the Downs, it is a larger gathering in just one spot, which is further away from people’s homes but in one of the city’s most famous and well-used open green spaces. \u201cWhile 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,\u201d said Cllr Parsons.<\/p>\n \u201cAs well as those living in vehicles on the kerbside, The Downs is also a place that is popular with travelling groups from the Romany Gypsy and Traveller community.<\/p>\n READ MORE: ‘Show of Support’ walk event on the Downs over caravan issue<\/a>READ MORE: Action on caravans and Travellers on the Downs \u2018needed quicker\u2019 as plans slowly drawn up<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI also recognise the unique challenges that comes with having such a large group of people living in vehicles next to one of our city\u2019s 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n That \u2018range of actions\u2019 includes legal action. \u201cOne area of focus is how we manage the green space of The Downs and ensure it\u2019s a safe and welcoming place for people to use,\u201d said Cllr Parsons.<\/p>\n \u201cThis means keeping the space open and available for residents and moving on encampments who pitch up on the grassed area. To achieve this we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are the immediate, short-term actions we can take, but we\u2019re also working on longer term solutions to help manage the size of encampments across the city,\u201d he said. \u201cThis includes making more spaces available on areas we call meanwhile sites<\/a> – which are places people living in vehicles can access to live.<\/p>\n \u201cThese sites are temporary and exist on land due to be developed but provide a valuable space with access to much needed services such as toilets and running water. We also hope to establish a permanent site where we can support people with their health and wellbeing whilst helping people with getting access to housing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Cllr Parsons\u2019 statement was published just over a week after one local councillor from his own party, who represents some of the communities who live around the Downs, said her party\u2019s administration is not \u2018going fast enough\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll say this as a Green councillor: you need to be putting pressure on the policy chairs for housing and transport,\u201d said Cllr Paula O\u2019Rourke (Green Clifton<\/a>).<\/p>\n “They are the people who need to come up with a new policy to deal with this. Personally, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going fast enough. I would press for things to move faster. We\u2019re doing what we can. Would I like it to go quicker? Yes,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n![\"Bristol](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_WhatsApp-Image-2022-03-21-at-185357jpeg.jpg\")
Bristol City Councillor Barry Parsons (Green, Easton)(Image: Paul Gillis)<\/p>\n![\"More](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1_TCBR250325DownsMeetBRIjpeg.jpg\")
More than 450 people, with another 150 kept outside, attended a public meeting at St Albans Church in Westbury Park on Monday, March 24, 2025, to talk about the issue of people living in caravans and vans on the Downs in Bristol(Image: Bristol Post)<\/p>\n