Travellers seen to move onto Barlow Park, Astley Bridge

They are believed to have appeared on Barlow Park Playing Fields in Astley Bridge at some point over the course of Saturday August.

As of Sunday morning, a group of caravans and cars were still parked on the playing fields, which are a popular destination for families, football teams and dog walkers.

Cllr John Walsh, of Astley Bridge, said: “I got a call at about 5.30pm on Saturday afternoon saying that a group of Travellers had appeared on Barlow Park.

“I reported this to the police and they were there within the hour, so all credit to GMP for their very quick response.

A group of caravans had been parked (Image: Newsquest)

“They have established that this group are separate from the group at Little Lever and that they are trespassing.”

He added: “The concern is that those pitches are often used by a lot of young people playing football so clearly something needs to be done about it.”

Cllr Walsh says that as well as GMP he has also been in touch with the relevant department at Bolton Council.

He says he has also been concerned about a recent Daily Telegraph article claiming Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s plans could include allowing Traveller sites on green belt land.

The group were parked close to playing fields (Image: Newsquest)

The separate Little Lever Travellers group referred to by Cllr Walsh had been spotted towards the end of July at Meadow Close Playing Fields, at the back of Meadow Close.

That group are believed to have been amongst the community that was forced to leave their site at Moses Gate after Bolton Council served an eviction notice earlier in July.

The authority, in consultation with the police, had applied to the courts for a closure order citing a series of incidents involving drugs, violence and guns.

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Some of the Travellers have since launched an appeal against the order. 

Since the eviction notice was served, groups of Travellers have been reported on various sites including on land close to Beechcroft Avenue and Hollycroft Avenue in Darcy Lever.

Former residents at the Moses Gate site have said previously that they have nowhere to go and want to stay in Bolton for their sake of their children in the borough’s primary schools.

In response, the council has said previously that support for the Travellers includes access to reserved temporary accommodation.

This also includes measures to ensure there is no disruption to school attendance.