Breightmet residents raise concerns as Travellers remain on field

More than a dozen caravans have camped on New House Farm playing field, near Blenheim Road.

A resident said the group arrived on Thursday, June 4, with cars and caravans parked around the edge of the field.

The Bolton News approached individuals at the site last week, where two women and their children were present.

One woman said: “We’re just here for a few days.

“We won’t be here for long, and we’re not here to cause any trouble.”

Today (June 9), we returned to the playing field, where the travellers remain.

Most of the caravans are still on the field, however, it appears the family we spoke to last week have moved on.

New House Farm playing field, near Blenheim Road (Image: NQ)

The ground was littered with rubbish, a single tyre, a pair of shoes, a small TV and items of clothing.

Muddy tyre tracks were visible across the pitch, cutting through the grass and soft ground.

A Breightmet resident told The Bolton News: “Portable toilets have been emptied on the field.

“My kids are stuck inside, it smells so bad and they can’t play on the field.

“My autistic son can’t cope with the noise and being stuck inside, it’s a joke.”

New House Farm playing field (Image: NQ)

This comes just weeks after human waste was found at Longsight Park after a traveller encampment left the area.

In May, eight caravans had been parked there before Bolton Council served a legal notice ordering those on the site to leave.

The litter left behind, believed to have been left by the travellers, resulted in a “major clean-up operation” involving councillors, volunteers and community groups.

The traveller encampment in Breightmet (Image: NQ)

The Gypsy and Traveller way of life can involve travelling across the country and staying in different locations for varying periods in order to earn a living.

They are protected from discrimination under the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Human Rights Act 1998, alongside all ethnic groups with distinct cultures, languages or values.

When Gypsies park their caravans and vehicles in public places, such as car parks or on land where they should not be, it is classed as an “unauthorised encampment”.

Bolton Council has been contacted for comment regarding the encampment in Breightmet.

Shoes and rubbish left on the playing field (Image: NQ)

The illegal dumping of larger rubbish items is referred to as fly-tipping.

Under new government reforms aimed at tackling illegal waste dumping, fly-tippers could face up to five years in prison.

A new and tougher permit-based system will be brought into force in 2027, and those caught mishandling waste could face serious prison sentences.

Supporting the crackdown, Labour MP for Bolton West, Phil Brickell, said: “One of the issues raised with me time and time again on the doorstep is the issue of fly-tipping.

“It’s simply not good enough that some think it’s acceptable to dispose of their rubbish however they like.”