Rough sleepers have been told their belongings will be removed from council-run car parks because they could be “tripping hazards”.

New signs have gone up in four car parks run by Bristol City Council warning people against leaving their belongings in the premises.

The council said they could be “potential tripping hazards” and contravene health and safety rules.

The car parks targeted include Trenchard Street car park behind Colston’s Hall, the West End long stay car park in Berkeley Place, Temple Gate car park and College Street short stay car park, behind City Hall.

It comes after it was criticised for putting up ‘anti-begging’ bollards in Trenchard Street car parks recently.

Earlier this year, Bristol Live revealed workers from Bristol Waste handed out notices to rough sleepers and left notices on their belongings warning them their belongings will be removed within 24 hours.

The notices were rescinded hours after the story went public.

Campaigners said the money used to facilitate the clearing of the belongings could instead be used to create lockers and other practical solutions.

Is this aimed at rough sleepers?

College Street car park

The notices, which are placed in stairwells around the car parks, warn the belongings will be stored for less than a month.

Titled Rough Sleeping, it tells homeless people to go towards Jamaica Street hostel. The signs are screwed into the walls, rather than temporary notices.

It reads: “Any items left in this car park that block stairwells and other exits constitute a health and safety risk, and will be removed.

“If you have left items because you are sleeping rough then please be aware that it can be very dangerous and can harm your health and that of the wider public.

“Bristol City Council is sorry you have found yourself here and wants to do everything it can to help you.

“We fund St Mungo’s Rough Sleeper Service and they will talk to you and take time to understand your needs, which will allow them to offer you the appropriate support you need to help you move away from rough sleeping, whatever your circumstances.”

It also warned the belongings will only be stored for 28 days and anything that are “contaminated” cannot be stored and will be thrown away.

Trenchard St lift landings
Trenchard St lift landings

Homelessness campaigner John Langley said: “First, it was Broadmead and now it's car parks that people's personal possessions are being taken from.

“How about lockers, for instance, so that what people can sleep in and wear can be kept dry? Actually no, that's clearly too obvious and far too practical for anyone with gumption. Instead, let's just continue to victimise people so they feel even less safe and unwelcome.”

A tripping hazard

The huge Trenchard St car park
The huge Trenchard St car park

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “For some time now signs have been in place inside our car parks which are designed to signpost people to rough sleeping services for those who need them.

"For several years now we have had increasing complaints of anti-social behaviour inside Trenchard Street car park with numerous belongings being left in stairwells.

“It is important that Bristol's many visitors feel safe to use these car parks and making sure exit routes are clear is an important part of this.

“Bags left by exits and on stairwells are a potential tripping hazard which can prove deadly in the case of a fire.

"Our outreach teams are in touch with people known to be sleeping rough in the area to offer support where needed."