Travellers' caravans 'deterring shoppers'- Bristol

From the Bristol Post

BUSINESSES have called for a barrier to be installed at a Filton car park after Travellers set up camp there.

Aaron Naughton, chairman of the Filton Chamber of Trade, says they are blocking spaces and putting off shoppers – and has requested urgent action from South Gloucestershire Council.

In correspondence seen by the Post, council officials tell him they are planning meetings to discuss a height restriction barrier at the Gloucester Road North car park, which would prevent caravans from entering.

Four caravans were in the car park yesterday, covering several bays in contravention of signs which say parking is restricted to 12 hours at the site.

Mr Naughton said the caravans were putting shoppers off using the car park for the nearby centre, where three shops have closed in the past few months.

Mr Naughton said: "We have had many issues with Travellers using our 12-hour stay car park as their new campsite.

"When the Travellers first started using it, it wasn't much of a problem but their presence became more and more increased, taking over a large amount of space.

"This not only violated the rules of the car park, which any other citizen would be clamped for, but also started driving businesses away from the Filton area, which has become detrimental to sustaining a strong community."

Mr Naughton said three shops – The Schoolwear Shop, Quality Carpets and Good Viewing – had recently left the area due to a slump in trade.

He said: "People in the area are scared and uncomfortable of leaving their vehicles in the car park, which is extremely unfair.

"This has become a recurring problem within the past year, and since then three well-known local businesses have closed on this street and there are rumours of another going.

"I obviously cannot prove it is this issue which has caused businesses to shut down, but I am most certain it would have made a contribution, which is something we cannot afford to have happen in the Filton area."

Council officials told Filton Chamber of Trade that inspectors have regularly ejected illegal caravans but agreed that a barrier was needed.