Security patrols could be introduced on the Downs in Bristol to prevent the parkland from becoming “overwhelmed by lawlessness”. A private company would be hired to issue fines to anybody caught breaking rules such as parking on the grass or having a barbecue. The Clifton Down and Durdham Down in the north of the city are subject to a series of old byelaws, which in theory ban people from a range of activities.
However, these are rarely enforced, with some residents complaining about damage to the grass from fires or vehicles. The Downs committee was urged to take action and clamp down on people flouting the byelaws, during a meeting on Monday, June 10. The committee is made up of councillors from Bristol City Council and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, a business group.
Read more: Evicting caravans from the Downs deemed an ‘extraordinary waste of money’ Read more: Green councillor says 'universities are the housing crisis' in Bristol as student numbers shoot up Robert Westlake, chair of the Downs Advisory Panel, said: “Many byelaws are ignored daily, including driving and parking on the grass, damage to verges from vehicle dwellers and careless contractors, pitching tents, cycling on footpaths, depositing excrement on the highway and in shrubbery, fires, unauthorised games, barbecues, and even flying drones.” He called on the Downs committee to reinstate out-of-hours security patrols, to enforce these rules. He also said there should be a “one-mon.
