News / The Downs
Downs hit hard by three lockdowns in a year
The Downs in Bristol have suffered heavy damage in the past year as hoards of visitors flock to the popular spot for fresh air and exercise during the pandemic.
Walkers have churned up the grass and vans parked on grass verges have caused two drains to collapse on Circular Road, the group that manages the Downs heard this week.
Overflowing bins and rubbish discarded out of “sheer laziness” have also added to the problem, the Downs Committee heard.
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A report to committee from Bristol City Council’s parks team said: “The effects of the three lockdown periods in the last eleven or twelve months are evidenced all over the Downs.
“The amount of trampling/wear and erosion to the ground has gone from being only in a few key places and at certain times of year, to being in all parts of the Downs throughout the year.”
A separate report to the meeting on Monday, January 25 said the Downs were in a “poor” state, with a high volume of foot traffic leading to “high levels of erosion and churn”.
“It is currently a critical space for the public during lockdown,” the report from the events and finance subgroup noted.
The Downs have become a vital space over the part 12 months. Photo: Martin Booth
There is an estimated 75 per cent increase in people using the Downs.
“Circular road has two collapsed roadside drains causing flooding and damaging the footpath. Van dwellers are putting their vehicles on the grass verge which is causing damage.
“The cost of maintaining the Downs will be higher than normal because of this.”
Robert Westlake, who chairs the volunteer group Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge, wrote in a public statement that “deep litter clearance” by volunteers earlier this month found depressingly large amounts of rubbish.
“Disappointingly large amounts of discarded items were recovered and this is a depressing reflection on those members of the public who are careless of the Downs and the damage that they do out of sheer laziness,” he said.
The committee heard that the parks team had been working hard to “keep up with all the clearing up that has been required on a daily basis”.
The meeting was held to discuss the issue. Photo: Bristol24/7
An officer told committee members that the damage was spread across the Downs because people were trying to stay socially distanced from one another so were straying off the tracks and paths onto the grassy areas.
“We need to take stock once we’re through this period of lockdown and look at the impact (and) what we need to do,” he said. “In some places, it’s about probably just leaving it and letting it recover or there may need to be some intervention.”
The Downs Committee is made up of city councillors and business people from the Society of Merchant Venturers.
Amanda Cameron is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Plans for accessible paths to transform the Downs
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