'We cannot go on like this': Decision due on exodus of Bristol Downs caravans as enforcement looms

The new van dweller policy aims to “significantly reduce” how many people live in vehicles on the side of the road across Bristol.

This includes offering welfare support, creating new pitches on “meanwhile sites”, helping find ways into houses and flats, and ramping up enforcement too. There are a range of people living in vans for lots of reasons but the rise in recent years has sparked resentment from neighbours.

Rising rents in Bristol have driven the dramatic increase in people living in vans, with many parked on the Downs in the long term. The new strategy is due to be approved by councillors on the housing policy committee on Friday, December 19.

Green Councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the committee, said: “Vehicle dweller numbers have grown in recent years, across Bristol and the whole country, and we have been very clear we cannot go on like this. Our communities, including vehicle dwellers themselves, deserve better.

“This increase in people living in vehicles creates a range of social, public health, and environmental challenges for the city and people living this way. Officers have worked with a range of stakeholders, partners and people with lived experience to develop a policy that can make real change, and we have listened to feedback during the consultation process.

“We need to be clear that if the policy is approved, we will not be able to solve this issue overnight. It will take time to meaningfully engage with people living in vehicles. However, with the right processes in place, we will be able to start offering real support to the people who need it, before moving to enforcement where necessary.”

Details of the strategy were revealed in autumn earlier this year, when the council consulted the public about its plans. More than 3,000 people responded to this consultation, including over 250 people living in vehicles. The majority of people living in vehicles disagreed with the council’s aim of reducing the numbers of van dwellers across the city.

A transition period will run from this month until April next year. From April enforcement action could be taken immediately, if there is a dangerous obstruction of a road, or if the council identifies a serious impact on the local community and environment. This would include removing vans from the road.

Cllr Parsons added: “Finally, I would ask that everyone remembers to show respect throughout this process, and refrain from using discriminatory language or other forms of harassment that could stoke up further tension. We are all residents of Bristol, and we must show compassion and patience while we seek to tackle this difficult situation.”