Longsight Park in Harwood to security measures after damage

Councillors for Bradshaw and Harwood have agreed a funding arrangement with Bolton Council to upgrade security at Longsight Park’s entrance, Harwood.

The move follows an unauthorised encampment at the site earlier this month, which residents and volunteers said left behind rubbish, damage and human waste.

Councillors say the new measures are aimed at protecting the park and its arboretum from future incidents.

Cllr James Moller said: “Some people might complain it is a big lump sum of money, but it is money better spent on this, as the damage that they have done can cost thousands.

“It is just protecting assets in the area, and it is a good thing they are protecting these assets for the older generation and newer.”

The councillor said the cost of repairing damage could ultimately be greater than investing in prevention measures.

(Image: NQ)

He said councillors had agreed a 50/50 funding arrangement with Bolton Council to deliver the security improvements.

Cllr Moller added: “It costs the taxpayer more with damages than if we install this.”

The exact design of the new security feature has yet to be confirmed, although it is expected to involve a barrier at the park entrance.

The plans come after Bolton Council confirmed that the gate at the site had been damaged and that officers were reviewing security arrangements.

Earlier this month, eight caravans parked at Longsight Park before the council served a legal notice ordering those on the site to leave.

Following the encampment, volunteers described a major clean-up operation and raised concerns about damage to parts of the park and arboretum.

A Bolton Council spokesperson previously said neighbourhood services staff had attended the site to remove waste and that the council’s neighbourhood assets team had reviewed the quality of the gates on site.