Councillors John Goulandris and Henry Michallat, like many other local residents, have written to Bristol North West MP, Darren Jones, asking for him to speak to his Labour colleagues in City Hall and engage with the Mayor to tackle the unlawful van encampments on the Downs.
John and Henry were disappointed with the response from the MP’s office, which was just a holding reply, and didn’t have any clear information on what his position was on the matter. Although ultimate responsibility for the highway rests with the Mayor and Bristol City Council, Darren has influence as a senior Labour politician to reason with the Mayor and make the case as to why action, which is long overdue, needs to be taken now.
John and Henry, alongside Conservative Parliamentary Election Candidate, Laura Saunders, agree that there is only one way to solve the issue and that is to introduce a ‘no overnight camping by- law’ across the whole of Bristol. This would make van dweller encampments on the highway anywhere in Bristol illegal. Similar local legislation has been introduced in other council districts and has proved to be successful with van dwellers removed from roads and restricted to designated council sites.
Laura Saunders comments: “ The Downs are a priceless asset for Stoke Bishop and Bristol more widely. There needs to be greater protection for them against inappropriate use by van dwellers effectively using them as an unlawful campsite. This can be done by banning overnight stays through the introduction of a ‘ no overnight camping’ by law. The Labour Mayor has the power to act yet he refuses to do so. I will work with Councillors John Goulandris and Henry Michallat to keep up the pressure for proper protection of The Downs.”
