Council confirms no eviction plan for van dwellers in Fishponds

At least 20 vans were parked on both sides of an industrial road in Fishponds on a recent evening, a number some speculate has surged in recent months after the council served an eviction notice to caravans and campers on a road just a couple of miles way.

However, the council has debunked these rumors, saying that these vans on Goodneston Road were parked here long before the notice was issued for van dwellers on New Stadium Road in Eastville.

In a statement to Bristol24/7, Green councillor for Easton Barry Parsons said: “There have been vehicle dwellers there for a number of years, but we have no evidence to suggest that additional vehicles moved there following our recent eviction of New Stadium Road.”

Vans were parked on both sides of Goodneston Road in Fishponds on a recent evening

When Bristol24/7 visited the road on Monday, most occupants were away or kept to themselves.

One van dweller said they had been living on the road since July and loved the feeling of community it brought.

Speaking anonymously, they explained how living in a van had made them independent: “I know it sounds small, but being able to chop your own firewood and use it, how to use power tools, how to use a forge – are lots of skills that I would’ve never even thought of are now required and have become a big part of my everyday life.

“It has 100 per cent made me more independent, and so much of it is also community-based.”

In August, the council cleared vans from New Stadium Road near Ikea, following a surge in reports of antisocial behaviors.

However, in a more recent statement to Bristol24/7, Parsons clarified that there were no plans to evict the people living in vans on the road in Fishponds, as there was no evidence or reports from the area to justify taking action against them.

He added: “We have not found, or been provided with, firm evidence of ASB being caused by the individuals living in vehicles on this site, and therefore no eviction action is currently planned.

“As the number of lived-in vehicles in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years, the council recognises that the current situation across the city is not sustainable, and is taking a proactive stance on addressing issues.”

There are about 650 live-in vehicles across Bristol, which has been dubbed the van-dwelling capital of the UK – photo: Rafe Llewellyn

With an increase in the number of people living in vehicles in the city, the council has reaffirmed its commitment to finding sustainable solutions and support options, including ways to tackle antisocial behaviours.

The council is currently developing a new policy that aims to provide additional support to vehicle dwellers and promote the local community.

Parsons added: “We would encourage everyone to have their say as part of the consultation that launches on Thursday”.

The consultation, scheduled to launch on Thursday, aims to understand the issue across the city and will be open to everyone, including van dwellers and those living in the surrounding areas.

All photos: Karen Johnson

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