Court grants possession order to remove central London homeless encampment

Transport for London (TfL) is set to remove a homeless encampment in central London for a third time after obtaining a possession order from the courts.

The encampment, which sits on a strip of land on Park Lane next to Hyde Park, has been the subject of previous possession orders. Around 40 people were removed in the most recent clearing, which took place in October 2024, according to a BBC report. 

However, a TfL spokesperson said people had recently returned to the site.

The statement, which was given to the BBC, said: "We had to take enforcement action to regain possession of the site on two occasions last year, however, a number of people have returned with tents and other belongings.

"We have been granted a possession order by the court and are working through the next steps with our partners.

"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 has always been on the safety and welfare of everyone involved."

Westminster City Council said it had supported TfL, who maintain the site, with the most recent possession order, adding that it is working to ensure anybody displaced is able to access help and has an opportunity to get off of the street and into accommodation.

Commenting on the move, a spokesperson for Westminster City Council said: "The central reservation of Park Lane is not a safe place for anybody to live and we're concerned about the welfare of those sleeping there.

"The city council, our charity partners, TfL and London wide rough sleeping teams all regularly visit the people sleeping rough on Park Lane."

"Our support services are comprehensive and there is no reason a person should have to sleep rough – on this site or anywhere else in the city."

Adam Carey