Bailiffs remove tree protesters in Bristol

Round the clock security will remain in place at a site where protesters were evicted last month in Bristol.

Campaigners camped out at Stapleton allotments in opposition to a new MetroBus route. Bristol City Council won a court order to remove them.

It says ongoing site surveillance and the eviction has cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Land in Bristol that was occupied by tree protesters for six weeks has now been cleared for work on preparations for the city's Metrobus route.

The activists were evicted from Stapleton allotments last week. They say the scheme will destroy wildlife habitat and agricultural land but Mayor George Ferguson says he's looking at ways of minimising its impact.

Bristol City Council says the protest camp at Stapleton Allotments has now been cleared.

Bailiffs spent the past four days removing demonstrators from the site to make way for a new bus route. But the council says it is now preparing to address a separate illegal encampment which has been created near the M32.

A fourth day of evictions is underway at Stapleton Allotments, as Bristol City Council continues its operation to remove protestors objecting to a new bus route.

A city council spokesman said just five protestors now remain on the site.

Bailiffs are at Stapleton Allotments in Bristol for a third day of evicting protestors who are against a new bus route being built through the site.

Yesterday a dozen people were removed from the trees and a derelict building. Bristol City Council says around eight people remain . There have been no arrests or major incidents.

The council hopes to clear the site over the weekend so it can start work on this phase of the MetroBus scheme, with the first order of business being to move the allotments.

Bristol City Council will try and remove the remaining activists at the Stapleton allotments today.

It's estimated around 50 protestors left the site yesterday but there are still dozens who remain. There are still some protestors in trees and attached to lock points.

Bailiffs chase down a protestor as evictions continue at Stapleton Allotments

Our reporter Jonty Messer is at the scene of the evictions. He writes: "Protestors were alerted to this morning's arrival of removal teams by a loud horn blown from the treetops. Those opposed to the MetroBus route ran to their assigned places. Some climbing trees. Others using 'lock on' contraptions which join people together between trees and have to be cut off.

"The work to remove the protestors was initially quick with those in the ground being removed swiftly by a large team in high viz jackets. Climbing experts arrived a short time ago although there is little sign of them entering the trees where the removal if protesters is likely to become much harder.

"The protestors seem in in high spirits and have repeated their desire for a non violent protest. Drums are being beaten and sings sung from the trees. One woman - Jessy Mae who lives in Bristol said it was a great experience to be part of. She has been on site since January."