Most of the travellers who arrived at the Downs last week and set up camp have left. There is still a small group still encamped in the area, but they are expected to move on the next couple of days.
Robert Westlake, chair of Friends of The Downs and Avon Gorge said that most of the group had left the area by this morning (June 27). He said: “The Downs operational team have confirmed the travellers have been removed from The Downs. However a small, seemingly separate group, remain but are expected to be gone in the next couple of days.”
Residents of The Downs reported around 15 caravans arriving last week and setting up camp in the popular area last week. A GRT (Gypsy, Roma Traveller) team visited.
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The travellers were offered the option of moving to the transit site when they arrived last week, but according to FODAG, refused the offer. Residents have raised concerns that travellers and van dwellers ignore The Downs bye-laws.
There are 12 permanent traveller pitches in Ashton Vale, used by a mix of English gypsies and Welsh and Irish travellers. There are 20 temporary pitches in Lawrence Weston which are used by Gypsies and travellers moving to and from Bristol to work. In Bedminster, there are several plots for showpeople.
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In February Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees promised to build more traveller pitches across the city. Gypsy Roma travellers are a mix of different ethnic and cultural groups. Ethnic groups include Romany Gypsies, Irish travellers and showpeople, and cultural groups include circus showpeople, new travellers and in some instances, van dwellers.
Bristol City Council has not responded as yet to a request for comment.
