We, the residents of Greenbank view have been given a notice demanding we leave in a week’s time (26th April). If any vehicles remain after this point, we will be taken to court. We don’t believe what we are doing is a crime. We are just trying to exist. The majority of us at Greenbank View are young people, unable to afford to live in this city despite working as hard as we do.

Young people are struggling to afford stable housing, the average rent in Bristol being over £600 per month, yet wages have stayed the same. Vehicle dwelling is our solution to the housing crisis. We also find this way of life means we have more time for volunteering, community projects and our own pursuits.

We are a group of people who are relatively new to vehicle dwelling but are using our energy to fight and rally against this constant battle with the council and authorities, in the hope that we can figure out better solutions than the violent eviction process. Gypsy, Roma Traveller (GRT) communities have faced continued discrimination and brutal treatment through enforcement for centuries.

We are aware there is a long standing history of GRT communities being stereotyped, racially attacked and forced to move on. The endless social cleansing and outlawing of a culture has broken down and criminalised GTR communities.
We don't experience this prejudice in the same way and recognise we are receiving a less harsh response from the council.

We feel drawn to making a stand, especially in the face of the new police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, in the hope that we can work with Bristol city council into working out a more humane approach, when dealing with the ever increasing travelling community.

These efforts are part of a wider struggle and we hope these efforts will support the wider issues instead of just us. Any time communities are being displaced, it's worth fighting for.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We want to challenge this eviction. We know from previous evictions, this will not solve the problem. But merely force us to move elsewhere, putting pressure on more residential areas. The forced removal may also results in vulnerable members of the community being isolated or destabilised by mental health issues.The solution of moving us will be short term and undoubtedly followed by people returning.

We feel this is a waste of time and money, especially as we have expressed a willingness to work alongside the council and local community, and to respond to any concerns. We hope to coexist together with the community and encourage people to speak directly to us if there are issues.

You may have heard the council offering us ‘meanwhile sites’ and are wondering why we choose to be roadside. There is only one 'permanent' site in Ashton Vale for 12 vehicles, which is full. The few other ‘meanwhile sites’ are temporary and are at current capacity. The council describe these sites on their website as having, 'Limited provision for vehicle dwellers who are currently kerbside in Bristol.’ We feel the offer of living on a ‘meanwhile site’ is an empty promise, yet gives the council legal backing is it shows them giving us an alternative choice.
There is not enough space on the meanwhile sites for the increasing number of people living in vehicles in Bristol. Many of us work in central Bristol and the sites are too inconvenient and far away. The council are also resistant to letting these sites be community led which puts vehicle dwellers off. We are left asking the question, where shall we go?

The council initially recommended that we live at Greenbank view, suggesting it was a suitable road. It is a 'no through' road and is not directly outside any housing. We feel it is an appropriate site for a vehicle community due to the wide nature of the road, allowing people to pass either on the road or pavement.

We are now all now at risk of fines, a trial and an eviction. We ask for your compassion and understanding.

Please support us by signing the petition and sending your thoughts to Steve Eyres, the Senior Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer. Please share your postcode in your message if you are local.

07585103580
Steve.Eyres@bristol.gov.uk

We engage with the local residential community as much as possible, so if you have not met us, come and say hello!

We intend to hold an open community discussion, where we can all share concerns and solutions.

Sign the petition

Thankyou! For your SOLIDARITY