Bristol: Call for stricter parking restrictions at the Downs

Some roads on The Downs in Bristol have become home to people who live in their vans

Parking restrictions have been recommended at a city beauty spot, but there are concerns about enforcement.

Parking at the Downs in Bristol has been an ongoing issue, with a number of van dwellers staying long-term.

A report to the Downs Committee has recommended reducing the current five-hour parking limit to three hours.

But city councillors have warned a lack of enforcement officers would make it hard to monitor.

On Monday, the Downs Committee was told it appeared the five hour limit was being ignored by drivers and was not enforced.

The committee also recommended closing Circular Road to most vehicles and allocating Bristol Zoo's former car park for visitors to the historic parkland.

Bristol City Council will be asked to enforce the proposed three-hour parking limit, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Downs Committee wants to close Circular Road to most vehicles

Conservative councillor Steve Smith said: "What parking services have told me is the problem and the reason they don't or can't enforce now isn't the parking duration, it's the no return.

"What happens is you see a car there at 12:00, and if it's still there at 17:30 you put a ticket on it.

"They'll claim that they went away for two hours and then came back. Unless you can prove that's not true, which it usually isn't, then the ticket is returned."

Another issue is a shortage of parking enforcement officers, who are usually patrolling other parts of the city, councillors said.

"I would be reluctant to stretch that resource away from residential areas where the enforcement is also needed," Green councillor Christina Townsend said.

The Downs Committee is made up of several councillors and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers.

The committee does not have the power to introduce parking fees or change restrictions, but can only suggest changes to the council.