A Resilient Spirit: The Story of Digger Down
A man who faced homelessness for 15 long years has ingeniously constructed a makeshift home along a busy A-road in Tower Hamlets, London, and he is determined to resist any attempts at eviction. Known as Digger Down, he shares this unique dwelling with his partner, transforming discarded materials into a cozy living space complete with oak flooring, electricity, and a stove.
However, Digger’s unconventional home, located on the Bow Flyover, is under threat. Transport for London (TfL), the governing body of the land, has issued warnings that he must vacate the premises. Digger explained that living in this precarious situation means he is constantly faced with the possibility of eviction, leaving him to ponder the prospect of starting anew at a moment’s notice.
In an interview with MyLondon, Digger candidly shared, “Living like this, you never know; you could be evicted tomorrow. It’s always in the back of your mind that this might not be here, and you could be starting all over again.” He recounted how his journey began with just a sleeping bag, but within a few days, he had fashioned a bed and, ultimately, the comfortable home that stands today. “Most people say they’ve never seen a homeless person do stuff like this. It’s pointless moving me because I’d just do the same over the road, and next time I’d do it differently,” he added.
Digger has received warnings from charitable organizations that TfL is eager to evict him, and he has noticed officials lurking nearby with clipboards. TfL contends that the area is unsafe for habitation and obstructs the highway. Should he remain, he faces potential legal consequences. Nevertheless, this dedicated builder is resolute in his plans to protest and firmly intends to stand his ground.
His makeshift home features a bedroom accessible via a ladder, with the ground floor serving as a cozy living room. This haven, constructed from various scrap materials, has been transformed into a surprisingly inviting shelter. Digger has managed to connect electricity to his home, utilizes a nearby McDonald’s for restroom access, and is actively working towards securing a water supply.
Digger’s background is as colorful as his current situation. Raised on a scrapyard in Dundee, he found himself on the housing list and was hopeful for a placement in Pimlico, which ultimately fell through. His life took a downturn when he was imprisoned for a crime he insists he did not commit, emerging in 2009 with a drug addiction and no place to call home.
After his release, he was offered accommodation in Scotland, but it quickly became overrun by drug dealers, prompting him to return to London. Now, Digger stands outside his hand-made shelter located near a roundabout in Bromley-By-Bow, East London, refusing to budge.
Fluent in multiple languages and holding a degree in community education, Digger engages in political activism, often using these efforts as a coping mechanism for his past struggles with addiction. He was notably arrested in 2021 after living in tunnels for 19 days in protest of the HS2 project. “I went from a homeless drug addict to Just Stop Oil calling me 100 times a day, and I ended up training all the activists in their tunnels,” he said proudly.
His activism has even included a protest where he refused to leave a pit he had dug near the M25 to voice his objections against Esso. Despite the existence of hostels and temporary accommodations, Digger points out that these environments often involve drugs being passed around, and he finds the staff’s attitudes patronizing.
Now clean from drugs, Digger remains hopeful about securing a flat by April. His long-term aspiration is to purchase a plot of land in Wales to establish an ecovillage, but for the time being, he is resolute in his decision not to leave his current residence without a fight.
A spokesperson from TfL commented, “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with partner agencies, including Tower Hamlets council, to explore all options to ensure the safety and welfare of the people currently sleeping rough there. This includes continuing to work with outreach partners who can help individuals access the available and appropriate support.” The Sun has reached out to TfL for further comments regarding this situation.
Digger remains steadfast, waiting for housing opportunities after his previous living arrangements fell through, and he is prepared to stand his ground.