Cheltenham Borough Council is evaluating various responses after two tents appeared beside the Honeybourne Line, a well-used traffic-free path in the town centre. The encampment is located near Waitrose, and it remains unclear how long the occupants plan to stay.
The site includes a cooking area, a chair, and a bicycle, prompting some local residents and path users to express safety worries. In response, the council has engaged with Gloucestershire Constabulary and other partners to consider several options, including enforcement measures.
The Honeybourne Line stretches approximately 2.5 miles and is managed by the council. Flo Clucas, cabinet member for housing and customer services, acknowledged awareness of the rough sleepers and recognised the concerns raised about personal safety, particularly given the wooded surroundings and earlier nightfall during the autumn months.
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Clucas commented: “We understand the impact this can have on people using the walkway, both concerning the wellbeing of those sleeping rough and the safety of other users. We are working proactively with local agencies on a range of approaches to resolve the situation promptly.”
She added that homelessness is a multifaceted challenge and that the council takes a preventative stance, collaborating with partners to assist individuals into stable housing. Members of the public who wish to report rough sleepers are encouraged to use the Streetlink website.
Reactions on social media have varied. Some users of the Honeybourne Line say the presence of tents deters them from using the route due to fears of antisocial behaviour. Conversely, others argue that homeless individuals deserve support and caution against assumptions about potential abuse.
This recent encampment follows a similar incident near the former Cavendish House site on the Promenade in February, which resulted in the council removing tents after complaints from local businesses. Those tents briefly reappeared a short distance away near Cheltenham Minster before being cleared.