Plans for Bristol Downs overnight parking ban put forward

An overnight parking ban could be brought on the Downs to deter the rising number of campers, the Bristol Post reports.

Advisers suggested that anybody caught parking overnight on certain roads by the Downs in Bristol could be fined £500, and any vans without a registration plate towed away.

The ban would affect anyone parking on Circular Road or Ladies Mile from 01:00 to 04:00 BST, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Robert Westlake, chair of the Downs Advisory Panel, told the committee they should ask Bristol City Council to consider a ban, during a public meeting on Monday.

Mr Westlake said: “On the last count I did, there were over 60 [vans], and they’ve now spread onto Ladies Mile and Circular Road.

“This situation is likely to get even worse. The panel discussed that these areas could and should be reclaimed.”

A temporary total ban was recently in place during the Forwards Festival, which was held on the Downs at the start of September.

Green councillor Paula O’Rourke, representing Clifton, said: “We have van dwellers who have nowhere else to live, it’s a very complicated problem.

“In my heart, I do have a concern about just doing something which would be quite draconian, unless the city can find them somewhere else to go.”

The Downs committee does not have the power to bring in a parking ban, but they could suggest the idea to the council, which has the power as the highways authority.

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Mike Ruff