Mayor promises more Traveller pitches in Bristol and slams opposition to new plans

The mayor of Bristol has promised to build more Traveller pitches across the city and criticised “racist” opposition to planned new pitches in Hengrove. Gypsy Roma Traveller communities currently face a dire shortage of accommodation, as well as discrimination.

Between six to eight permanent pitches are planned for a site on Western Drive, off Hengrove Way, at the northern tip of the old airport. Several people wrote to Bristol City Council this month with fears of a potential increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Marvin Rees has now called out this opposition to the plans, saying “some people still see racism towards Travellers as the ‘last acceptable form’”. Writing in a blog, he said the council would ask the government for cash to build more Traveller pitches elsewhere in Bristol.

Rees said: “Our population grew by 10 per cent in the last decade, so we need to build more homes in every community, including our Gypsy Roma Traveller community. So the cabinet recently invested in a new site with six to eight permanent pitches.

The new site will be at the end of Western Drive, an industrial estate in Hengrove – photo: Charlie Watts

“This will add to existing sites in Ashton Vale and Lawrence Weston, which opened in the early 2000s, and one in Bedminster which has been operated since the late 19th century. It’s worth clarifying that these are different to the meanwhile sites for vehicle-dwellers set up relatively recently.

“Our wider, longer-term approach will go beyond utilising one vacant site in Hengrove. We will be looking at applying to a new £10m Traveller site fund announced by the Department for Levelling Up — and looking at other potential sites around the city.”

The council’s cabinet signed off plans to build the new pitches in Hengrove, on February 7, although planning permission is still needed. At the time, opposition councillors criticised the lack of consultation and transparency, and suggested other sites should be explored too, such as near the Temple Meads train station as part of the £95m Temple Quarter regeneration.

Elsewhere in Bristol, there are 12 permanent Traveller pitches in Ashton Vale, used by a mix of English Gypsies, Welsh and Irish Travellers. There are also 20 temporary pitches in Lawrence Weston, used by Gypsies and Travellers moving to and from Bristol to work, and where residents can stay for up to three months at a time. And in Bedminster, there are several plots for Showpeople.

Rees added: “This proposal fits with our wider commitment to reflect the contribution of the Traveller community to our city, and to reaffirm their rights. Its initial reception has, though, sadly shown that some people still see racism directed towards our Gypsy Roma Traveller community as the ‘last acceptable form’. It’s not, and it’s right to challenge such attitudes whenever we encounter them.

“We are committed to supporting a community disproportionately affected by ill health, infant mortality, imprisonment, child poverty, domestic abuse, illiteracy, mental health issues and suicide. And as well as reducing isolation, we are also determined to tell more about their contribution to our city, both historically and in the present day.

“Bristol has been home to the Gypsy Roma Traveller community for more than six centuries. Irish Travellers were among the workers that helped build Broadmead, many of our city’s high rises and industrial areas. Such stories too often go forgotten, or worse, go deliberately untold.”

Gypsy Roma Traveller communities comprise several ethnic and cultural groups. These ethnic groups include Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers, and Showpeople. Cultural groups include Circus Showpeople, New Travellers, and in some cases van dwellers.

One cultural group which the council classes as Travellers are boat dwellers. At least 100 people are thought to regularly live on boats moored in Bristol’s docks. Separately to the investment in new pitches, in April the council will roll out a massive hike in harbour fees — with boat dwellers warning that some could be made homeless or forced out of business.

Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol

Main photo: Charlie Watts

Read next:

• Plans for new permanent gypsy traveller site revealed
• ‘Bristol’s boat dwelling community could be completely swept aside’
• Travellers evicted from site in Eastville

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: