Vehicles removed from the Downs as council asks van dwellers to leave

Abandoned caravans on the Downs have been removed by Bristol City Council amidst the ongoing tensions between residents and van dwellers. Van dwellers on Parry's Lane have stirred complaints from local residents and the council instructed those living in the caravans to leave the site last month.

A spokesperson from Bristol City Council said: “Earlier this week our Neighbourhood Enforcement Team visited Parry’s Lane and identified two abandoned caravans that were no longer secured. These abandoned caravans, which were filled with waste, were removed on Tuesday 9 July.

“Officers will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with both vehicle dwellers and local residents in line with our policy for unauthorised encampments.”

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On June 12, the local authority shared letters on several parked vehicles on Parry's Lane, ordering van dwellers to vacate the site. The notice said: "Bristol City Council, whilst having permitted the encampment to date, does not give permission for the public highway to be used in this way and I must therefore ask you to vacate the highway.

"Failure to do so may result in Bristol City Council taking legal proceedings to remove you and the vehicle from the highway. Any caravans or vehicles that appear to be abandoned will also be removed." The letters were informal requests to those parked up on the lane, but it appears Bristol City Council have escalated action to remove the vehicles.

Clifton Down and Durdham Down make up a huge swathe of protected Bristol parkland. Recently, it was revealed that a private security company could be introduced to prevent people breaking the area's ancient byelaws, including camping overnight on the roadside.