00:00In Bristol, rows of battered caravans and vans remain lining streets near Clifton Down Parkland
00:07after an eviction notice issued to people living in vehicles across the area.
00:11Bristol City Council says it was granted an anti-social behaviour injunction
00:15allowing it to remove lived-in and abandoned vehicles from certain roads after the 7th of May.
00:20Officials say some vehicles have been driven away while others remain often in poor condition
00:25and no longer roadworthy.
00:26The council says it's working with people affected offering support to move into meanwhile sites or other accommodation.
00:32One man, Martin Morgan, who says he's lived on the Downs for around four or five years
00:37described the situation as stressful and said he's waiting for arrangements to move his vehicle.
00:42Another resident, Jas Devereaux, said she feels the council has not provided enough support
00:47and says uncertainty is causing stress.
00:50However, Tony Nelson of Protect the Downs says many of the vehicles were already abandoned
00:55and argues the clear-up is necessary.
00:58He said they can't just turn around and say the council haven't given me loads of money and solved all
01:02my problems.
01:03These are grown-up people.
01:04They're adults.
01:05They've got themselves there.
01:06They can get themselves out.
01:08Bristol City Council says since its policy launched, it's worked with almost 100 people
01:13including moving some into meanwhile sites, family or friends, private rental, social housing and emergency accommodation.
01:21The council says it's balancing enforcement with support as it continues action across the city centre area around the Downs.
01:29The injunction covers specific roads around the Downs area, giving officers powers to take action against both occupied
01:35and abandoned vehicles in line with the council's policy approach.
01:40This approach is designed by the council to reduce the number of vehicles in public spaces
01:44while also directing people towards alternative accommodation options where possible.
01:50Officials say the intention is to balance enforcement with support
01:54as different people affected face different circumstances and levels of need.
01:59For those living in the vehicles, the situation has left some waiting for decisions on where they'll be moved to
02:04next
02:05whilst others say they're unsure of their future if alternative accommodation is not available.
02:11Campaigners from Protect the Downs say the presence of long-term encampments has affected public space
02:17while also acknowledging concerns raised about support for individuals involved.
02:22The council maintains it's already supported a range of outcomes for people affected.
02:27The situation continues to develop as enforcement and support measures are carried out
02:32with the council saying it will keep working with partners as action continues in the city area.
02:38At the centre of the issue is a balance between the use of public space,
02:42the enforcement of local rules and the need to ensure support is available for people
02:47who may be in vulnerable or difficult circumstances.
02:50Bringing together partners across Bristol, it remains focused on managing the situation across the area
02:56whilst providing routes to support where needed.
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