A group of campaigners including Alveston Parish Council and residents, supported by Luke Hall MP, have teamed up to look at measures the parish and community can take to prevent the future misuse of the popular local green space located off of Down Road.
Last summer saw locations around the Village, Thornbury and the Severn Vale become host to temporary but illegal encampments often resulting in angst and complaints from residents over the conditions sites were left in.
Alveston’s Down Road Green is a popular location for the community and is often used for sports, picnics and exercise all year round but particularly in summer.
As summer approaches which often sees a spike in encampments, the parish Council has set up a working group to establish measures that could be implemented to protect the land from vehicles and large mobile homes. The working group includes Cllr Steve Blick, Local Residents Steve Evans, Duncan Pauly and Mark Davey.
Cllr Blick said; “I’m delighted to be part of the working group as it was felt that our community could be proactive in finding ways to prevent a repeat of last summer. It could very well reduce the costs to local taxpayers in clean-up costs after encampments leave. The Down Road green is a popular space and it’s a shame when our residents cannot make use of it during and after an illegal encampments take place”
The three options being considered include stone boulders on the perimeter, posts or a bund around the green space.
The group’s efforts have also attracted assistance from Local MP Luke Hall who has been making enquiries along with Cllr Blick to local quarries who have responded positively, with potential for the boulders option to be purchased on a cost price basis.
Local MP Luke hall who has been assisting the working group with their investigations said;
“Myself and the parish are now working towards getting the proper permissions from South Gloucestershire Council after getting such a generous offer on the cost of small boulders from Hansons Quarry. We hope the Council will agree with us that it will save taxpayers money in the long run in clear up costs if the parish gets the green light”