VIDEO: No arrests made over couple’s defiant sit-down protest in Cainscross car park

A COUPLE have abandoned their defiant sit-down protest in a Stroud car park after authorities agreed to enter into discussions with them.

Elizabeth and Graham Stanley have been staging the peaceful protest in Cainscross Car Park since yesterday morning.

The couple were complaining about Stroud District Council’s decision to install a high-barrier on the carpark – which they say will stop access for their company’s minibuses.

The determined pair were at the site until 11pm last night and returned at 6am this morning to physically block council workmen from digging up the carpark to install the barrier.

But today police arrived at the site to tell the couple they could be arrested for aggravated trespass if they continue to stop the workmen for carrying out their job.

Discussions between the two sides were brought to a close after they agreed to meet to continue working towards a compromise with the deadline of Monday, July 11.

The Stanleys say the two-metre high barrier will mean they won’t be able to park their minibuses there.

They are directors of the Gloucestershire Mini Bus Scheme and also involved in the community interest company Stroud District Ring and Ride – who also park their vehicles in the council-owned car park overnight.

The couple argue there was no consultation or information about the changes - which will force them to park their fleet of buses elsewhere.

But the council stress the barrier is one of the new measures to keep travellers from using the site to set up their caravans.

Graham Stanley, who helped set up the Stroud District Ring and Ride service earlier this year, said: “We were preparing our schedule for the day when lorries and workmen turned up to start digging up the car park and put in the new barrier.

“I was completely shocked. All our minibuses are well over two metres tall so there is no way they would be able to get in or out.

“When we explained this, they told us we would have to move our buses immediately and find a new home for them.

“There was no consultation and no warning any of this was going to happen. So as you can imagine we weren’t best pleased.

“We want proper discussions with the council to resolve this matter.”

But after it was agreed that the work should be put on hold until the two parties reached a compromise Elizabeth said: "I'm very pleased with the outcome, I'm always happy to discuss things."

Mike Hammond from SDC said: "We've still got to undertake the work but how that happens is yet to be decided."

He added that they would enter into further talks between now and Monday.

"The barrier is being put in place to prevent travellers from illegally occupying the car park," said Kam Mistry of SDC.

"In recent months we have had several of groups of travellers occupying council car parks causing stress and misery to local residents and in some cases losses to local businesses.

"Already this year it has cost over £20,000 to move travellers on, repair damage and clean up after they have left.

“Whilst we appreciate that this will inconvenience the Stanleys, our priority is to protect residents and businesses which suffer when travellers turn up.

"We spoke to Mr and Mrs Stanley and were prepared to provide keys for the barrier under the proviso that they had appropriate insurance to cover the costs of moving travellers on if they accidentally left the barrier unlocked, but they refused."