Our enforcement process, when action will be taken, and any legal proceedings.
Our enforcement approach
If you do not engage with us and accept the offers of support available to you, we'll need to take action to move you.
Under new proposals, enforcement action to move people on will generally happen after 3 months, but we can take action sooner if a vehicle, or group of vehicles, is causing significant problems or impacting on local areas.
Initial assessment
When an encampment is reported, officers assess:
- impact on the local community
- safety, environmental or public health concerns
- whether the location is sensitive
- immediate welfare needs of the occupants
This helps determine whether immediate enforcement is needed or whether a support period is appropriate.
Immediate enforcement
Immediate enforcement is used where the assessment identifies serious impact. This includes significant safety, welfare, environmental or community risks.
If the encampment is on a sensitive location this will be designated serious impact and vehicle dwellers will be asked to move on immediately.
Sensitive locations include:
- schools and play areas
- parks and green spaces
- council car parks and Park and Rides
- areas where vehicles have previously been removed within the last 6 months
Downs Injunction and Possession proceedings where they apply
We have taken legal action in relation to unauthorised caravans and vehicles on roads around the Downs.
On 16 April, we were granted a 21 day possession order covering the roads listed below. This allows us to take enforcement action and require the current vehicles on these roads to leave.
We have also secured an extension to the anti-social behaviour injunction around the Downs, expanding it to include several surrounding roads and preventing people from living in vehicles or engaging in anti-social behaviour there until May 2027.
These actions apply to the following roads:
- Parrys Lane
- Saville Road
- Clay Pit Road
- Westbury Park Road
- Rockleaze
- Downleaze
- Roman Road
- Stoke Road
- Wills Lane
- Circular Road
Reserved judgement and injunction
Documents related to the reserved judgment from the hearing held on 16 April 2026, along with the injunction now enforced around Clifton, Durdham Downs, and surrounding roads:
If you need a printed version of these documents, email vehicle.dwellers@bristol.gov.uk.