‘We have a duty to ensure that the health and wellbeing of vehicle dwellers is supported’

The number of people living in vehicles and caravans in Bristol has grown significantly in recent years and we recognise the challenges this growth in the size and number of encampments raises for our city.

We have to acknowledge it’s a complex situation, and one I and others have spoken about on many occasions in the past 12 months.

Fundamentally we want to make sure that all communities, including those living in vehicles or caravans, and those in homes in neighbourhoods, have a meaningful and fair chance to live healthy and safe lives.

This means we need to take action on a number of fronts to make sure we are balancing the needs of everyone, while prioritising our efforts where the need is greatest.

Our latest estimates are that there’s between 640 to 680 lived-in vehicles and caravans on the kerbside, on private and council sites, with some squatting on land in parts of the city.

This figure doesn’t include the number of transient Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups who visit the city throughout the year; and this is a group of people who we can expect to see more of during the next few months as we’re now into the summer season.

While 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.

As 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.

I also recognise the unique challenges that comes with having such a large group of people living in vehicles next to one of our city’s 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.

Almost 700 people are estimated to live in vehicles and caravans across Bristol – photo: Cerys Larsen

Broadly speaking, our actions fall into two categories: those which are aimed at supporting those living in vehicles to remain healthy and safe and have the support needed to move into more settled accommodation; and those which are aimed at managing the size and impact of encampments.

One area of focus is how we manage the green space of the Downs and ensure it’s a safe and welcoming place for people to use.

This means keeping the space open and available for residents and moving on encampments who pitch up on the grassed area.

To achieve this we’re 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.

These are the immediate, short-term actions we can take, but we’re also working on longer term solutions to help manage the size of encampments across the city.

This includes making more spaces available on areas we call meanwhile sites – which are places people living in vehicles can access to live.

These 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.

We want to try and make sure we have about 250 spaces available at meanwhile sites across the city.

Achieving this number will make a huge difference to all communities as It will give vehicle dwellers the opportunity to move from the kerbside.

A ‘meanwhile site’ off Rudgewood Close in Hartcliffe could be a site turned into a permanent area where people can live in vans – photo: Cerys Larsen

We have to accept though that achieving this is a difficult task and, in the meantime, we have a duty to ensure that the health and wellbeing of vehicle dwellers is supported.

This is why we are working with outreach teams to visit groups to help them get access to health or wellbeing support, and to assess any safeguarding issues.

This includes working towards setting up service sites where groups can get access to things like running water or washing facilities.

Longer term we are working on creating one single policy, co-designed with communities and van dweller groups, and reflective of the various challenges and views associated with this growing issue for our city.

The work to achieve this is ongoing and will soon include opportunities for people across Bristol to share their views, thoughts and experiences.

This is an opinion piece by councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the homes & housing delivery committee

Main photo: Cerys Larsen

Read next:

• Action on caravans and Travellers on Downs ‘needed quicker’
• Caravan fire prompts debate about future of van dwellers
• Court delays slow action on evicting Traveller encampment