Authorities are moving to evict a 'tent city' of rough sleepers in one of London's poshest neighbourhoods located just yards from The Dorchester and Marble Arch. Dozens of homeless migrants have set up camp on Park Lane, with reports of people drinking cups of vodka at 7am and rubbish strewn all over the site. The presence of tents opposite five-star hotel The Dorchester caused fury among residents and office workers who accused the council of doing nothing to prevent one of the country's most famous addresses being used as a squatters' camp.
But now Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed it is seeking a possession order for the area, which they say has been done for the 'safety and welfare of everyone involved'. Westminster Council, which looks after the area, added that 'the central reservation of a busy road is not a safe place to camp'.
The Eviction and Its Aftermath
A spokesperson for TfL said: 'No one should be faced with sleeping rough on London's streets. Park Lane is a busy part of the road network that is not a safe place for people to sleep rough and our focus is on the safety and welfare of everyone involved. Having worked closely with our partner agencies for six months to safeguard the people here and address the health and safety risks, we have now issued legal proceedings seeking a possession order at Park Lane. We will continue to offer support to those at the site during this period, with outreach support teams able to help rough sleepers access the appropriate support for each person's individual circumstances.'
A spokesperson for Westminster City Council added: 'While TfL have issued proceedings to seek possession of this site, as a borough of sanctuary the welfare of rough sleepers is of utmost importance, and the central reservation of a busy road is not a safe place to camp. The Council's rough sleeping services continue to visit the site to offer support and signpost to appropriate support services as these proceedings take place and will continue to work with outreach services to ensure no person has to sleep on the streets.'
Impact on Local Businesses
The news will be welcomed by some as a hairdresser, who has worked in Mayfair since 1979, said the camp has affected his business as clients have been put off coming to his salon. He said: 'I used to employ more than ten people but now there are just three of us,' 'It's definitely affected business. Clients don't enjoy coming here as much anymore.'
The Background of the Encampment
The camp is just a stone's throw away from Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Speaker's Corner and Oxford Street. Their 'tent city' was pitched up outside the exclusive Park Lane in London's Mayfair area. Tycoons who look out on the camp from their penthouses are infuriated to see people drinking at 7am and using Hyde Park's shrubberies as toilets. One resident, whose neighbours include former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Phones 4U chief John Caudwell told MailOnline: 'What must tourists think when they see this? They get onto their open top buses to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and all that. And then they come to Park Lane and see this - what must they think?'
He went on: How are they allowed to just live here? It's disgraceful. They have been here for months, and the council does nothing. Do you know how much I pay in council tax? And what does Westminster Council do? It's outrageous that they have been allowed to pitch here in the first place – but the weeks go by and yet they are still here.'
Wealthy residents in Mayfair have complained about their presence having seen some of them drinking vodka at 7am. Up to 100 migrants from eastern Europe have pitched up and are living in temporary shelters off Park Lane. One person from the migrant camp told MailOnline: 'I came by plane. I haven't found a job yet but I will keep trying. We have all left our children at home. We don't have any food and we don't have any money. We just stay here until we can find something.'
He said most of them had got into the UK on temporary visas and were in the country looking for work to send money back to their families. The asylum seekers have previously been blasted for leaving behind piles of rubbish as they moved their tented village when they were relocated. Rubbish including plastic bottles, duvets, shoes and clothes was left behind at the site. Black plastic bin bags and a sign with the message 'please, I'm very hungry, help me, God bless' were also among the items left behind.
A Recurring Issue
In 2019, a homeless camp mainly made up of Romanian and Bulgarian migrants pitched up in the same area after being moved from Marble Arch by police. And in July 2020, a group of people believed to be migrants also set up camp outside the Hilton Hotel in Mayfair, just yards away from Hyde Park. The homeless encampment is just one example of a growing problem in London, where the number of people sleeping rough has been rising in recent years. The reasons for this are complex, and include factors such as the shortage of affordable housing, the rising cost of living, and the cuts to public services. The situation in Park Lane is a stark reminder of the challenges that many people face in trying to find a place to call home.
A History of Eviction
In 2021, Westminster City Council staff had to clear piles of rubbish and dismantle tents after a previous encampment left the same Park Lane strip of land. It was thought to have been occupied for about seven years.
A Focus on Safety and Welfare
The Mayor of London has been contacted for comment. Transport for London (TfL) has been granted a possession order for land in Park Lane that for at least the past few months has been occupied by a growing homeless encampment. Describing the spot in the middle of the dual carriageway as ‘not a safe place for people to sleep rough’, the transport body had its possession order request approved at a hearing in the Central London County Court on Friday. Following the hearing, a spokesman confirmed there were further stages to go in the legal process before it can move the encampment from the site, specifically applying for a writ of possession.
Recent estimates are that at least 40 people are living on the site, next to Hyde Park, with tents, tables, shopping trolleys and washing airers indicators of long-term occupation. One local business asked why the tents could not be relocated, adding the area was being used ‘not only to live in but as a lavatory’. Following the hearing, a TfL spokesman said: “No one should be faced with sleeping rough on London’s streets. Park Lane is a busy part of the road network that is not a safe place for people to sleep rough and our focus is on the safety and welfare of everyone involved. We have been granted a possession order for the encampment on Park Lane. We are now ready to follow the next stages of the legal process towards gaining possession of the site. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with partner agencies to prioritise the safety and welfare of everyone currently sleeping rough there. This includes continuing to work with outreach partners who can help individuals access the available and appropriate support.”
Seeking Solutions
Westminster City Council staff had to clear piles of rubbish and dismantle tents after a previous encampment left the Park Lane strip of land in 2021. It was thought to have been occupied for around seven years. The eviction of the Park Lane encampment highlights the complex challenges faced by authorities in addressing homelessness. While the safety and welfare of residents are paramount, the situation raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies and the need for long-term solutions to tackle the root causes of homelessness. It remains to be seen whether this eviction will lead to a more sustainable solution for the individuals affected, or simply displace the problem to another area.
