Travellers set up illegal campsite in Bristol
Bristol residents are demanding action to move an illegal travellers' camp from a grass verge outside their homes.
About 12 caravans are on the site in Northwick, near Pilning, next to the busy A403 which runs between the M48 at Aust and Avonmouth.
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The travellers arrived more than a week ago and householders say they have been subjected to anti-social behaviour ever since.
At first some six caravans arrived but the number then increased and they were also joined by vans, pick-up trucks and a horsebox.
Residents, who did not want to be named, claimed the travellers had been intimidating and had parked their vehicles in such a way as to make it difficult for them to get to and from their homes.
One resident said: "There are bags of rubbish strewn around and they have been using the area as a toilet. They are very threatening and intimidating.
"When they arrived, they had horses with them but I don't know where they've gone. The verge is right on the road, which is really busy.
"We've also had to put up with loud music, especially at night, and people are so worried that they can't sleep."
The verge is part of highways land and is the responsibility of South Gloucestershire Council.
Its spokesman, Steve Knowlson, said: "The council is aware of an illegal camp in Northwick and is currently negotiating with the families concerned to move on.
"We hope to resolve the situation as soon as possible. The police have also been notified."
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by gerry, bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 5:42PM
“Chanter, totaly agree with you, you only have to compere comedy on tv to yester year.
Lets face it theres so much bad news today we could all do with a good laugh to cheer us up.”
by Chas, Kningswood
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 4:16PM
“But there are MANY more that feel as 'DCI Hunt' and I do. I'll guarantee you that.”
by Chanter, Bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 3:33PM
“Yes Chas I appreciate and understand humour but obviously not the sort that you our 'DCI Hunt ' do.
A lot, most, of his comments are offensive, objectionable and inflammatory. If they were said in company they could well be actionable and if said in most workplaces would almost certainly result in disciplinary action.
It is the sort of shock humour that pervades the media today, with the likes of Little Britain and their ilk where bad language and behaviour substitute for good humorous material.
Think what you like about me but I assure you there are many more of us out there that feel the same.
Call it our upbringing, outdated or anything you care to think of but you won't change our attitudes.”
by Chas, Kingswood
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 1:34PM
“Chanter, can't you understand humour? I bet you're a 'wow' at parties.......
Nice One DCI Hunt - Made me laugh anyway, and oh so right about the Cher song!”
by bob, bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 1:00PM
“YAWN !!!!!”
by myfuriousspleen, Not Bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 11:47AM
“Unless I'm very much mistaken, Northwick is not in Bristol and is probably closer to being in Wales than in Bristol. This is the kind of lazy headline writing that gives the EP its great reputation.”
by bob, Bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 11:30AM
“It`s about time that our laws were changed in that trespass on to either private or Council property is enforceable by the Police with immediate effect by the Land Owner or their authorised representative.”
by Chanter, Bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 11:10AM
“DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
I am not going to engage in the futile exercise of trying to get some sense from your comment.
I, like many, have similar views about these groups but do not express them in such a puerile manner that serves only to escalate the mud slinging and detracting from the main topic.
Before you ask, I have knocked on the doors of travellers vans and stood in front of the assembled family to read out the official notice. One lone very young PC, no stab vest or CS gas, no PSU back up standing by.
As I said, it was different era back in the 60s' and 70s' possibly because there was not so much TV trivia and more inportant things to concentrate on or maybe that there was still some sense of society.
As for the song, a generalisation as to how many of the population, including yourself apparently, perceive that particular group.”
by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 9:37AM
“I'm the sherriff of Dodge City, back here in 1973, Chanter, and if I want these parasites out of my city, they will move when I say so, and not when some namby pamby, Liberal, sandal wearing, yoghurt knitting, Man.Utd supporting, shandy drinking ponce on the council says so.
I don't like the thieving gits when they go shopping with their 'Five finger discount'. It gets my plods running around after them, when they could be nicking cyclists for going through red traffic lights and riding on the pavement instead.
And as for Cher's song, she used those particular words for a reason. A bloody good description too.”
by Chanter, Bristol
Wednesday, August 26 2009, 9:03AM
“DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973.
You're wrong, even in 1973 it was a requirement of the law that a notice had to be read to each and every occupent stating their requirement to leave the site.
If that meant waking them up to read the notice then that was how it was done. It was not a particularly well liked assignment but that was a different era.
Before you quote the lyrics of Chers' song, read the rest of them. They refer to a 'travelling show' not quite Chipperfields but similar.”