PEOPLE living in vans on the Downs face being forcibly removed from May 7 following a court decision.
Bristol City Council was granted a 21-day possession order for roads including Parrys Lane, Roman Road, Stoke Road, Westbury Park Road, Saville Road, Clay Pitt Road, Rockleaze, Downleaze, Wills Lane and Circular Road on April 16.
City councillor Stephen Williams said the Bristol County Court ruling gave van dwellers a final chance to leave of their own accord before facing eviction
“If they refuse to move on by this date, we will have to work with bailiffs to remove remaining vehicles street by street,” he said
District Judge John Napier reserved judgement on the council’s application to extend an injunction granted last year to prevent van dwellers returning to live at the Downs.
The council’s outreach team is working with the van dwellers to ensure their welfare.
The council says plans are progressing for more “meanwhile sites” with facilities where people can live in their vehicles.