Eastville evictions: Travellers ordered to leave old gasworks

Riot police have blocked off a road as travellers living in vans and caravans at a former gasworks are being evicted.

The action is taking place at the Wales and West Utilities' site on Glenfrome Road in Eastville, Bristol.

Officers are in attendance to "prevent a breach of the peace" and have warned of disruption.

"The primary action is being taken by bailiffs on behalf of a private landowner", Avon and Somerset Police said.

At least two caravans have been towed away from the site and road closures are in place.

Richard Williams, Wales and West Utilities estates surveyor, said: "All individuals currently trespassing have been instructed to leave the area by court order received on 6 May.

"Since then, everyone living on the site has had the opportunity to make alternative arrangements and leave.

"We would urge them to do so peacefully so work can begin on site to build essential infrastructure to support communities right across Bristol."

Mr Williams said the company intended to build a new depot on the land for which it had received planning permission, and construction was scheduled to start this month.

Ben Richie, a spokesperson for Bristol Housing Action Movement, a support network close to the group, said there were up to 60 people on the site, including men, women and children, in 40 plus vehicles.

"The police gained entrance with the bailiffs and people are gradually leaving," he said.

"Because people decided to do things like lock-on and tripods, there has been some passive resistance, but it has all been non-violent and completely peaceful."

Mr Richie said the group had been talking to Bristol City Council and the owners of the land, but had expected "a bit more time to leave and organise to go somewhere else".

"It just seemed that one minute there was negotiations, and the next that was cancelled," he added.

Community union, The Association of Community Organisations for Change Now (Acorn) said it was opposed to the policing and crime bill that threatened to crack down on protest and also threatened Gypsy, Roma and traveller communities' way of life.

A spokesman said: "Traveller communities are being failed by national and local government across the country who very rarely provide the facilities that are required.

"To serve families with a 24 hour eviction notice and refuse to grant their request for more time to find a suitable and safe place to move to from this site is disgraceful, particularly so during a pandemic."

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