Gloucester City Council removes abandoned drug den bus

An abandoned bus has been removed from a city centre after it became a “magnet” for anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.

The city bus on Longsmith Street in Gloucester was originally used as a bar for a couple of years, but got left behind after the business closed in 2021.

Gloucester City Council (GCC), which owns the land, said it had received reports of lone females and “vulnerable individuals” climbing over walls to access the site.

Council engagement officer Morag Gordon said: “The removal of this bus eliminates a dangerous and hidden space that was being used for crime and drug activity.”

After being decommissioned in 2014, the vehicle was saved from the scrapyard in 2021 with the aim of converting it into an outdoor bar.

The venue was marketed as a pop-up concept and soon fell into disrepair after its initial summer season.

The council said that despite repeated attempts to get the bus removed, it has remained on the former garage site on the corner of Bull Lane and Cross Keys Lane.

Reports indicated the bus and surrounding area were being used for drug dealing, and rough sleeping, with large amounts of discarded drug-taking equipment creating a health hazard.

Stolen goods were also reportedly being sold there.

“Anti-social behaviour will not go unchallenged in our city,” Ms Gordon said.

“This action makes the area safer for the public, and sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of GCC, added: “This bus had become a magnet for crime, drug use, and anti-social behaviour in the heart of our city.

“Leaving it in place was simply not an option. By removing it, we are reclaiming this space for the community and sending a clear message: Gloucester will not tolerate environments that put people at risk or undermine public safety. “