Travellers set up camp on Moss Bank Park over weekend in Bolton

On Sunday evening, the large encampment appeared on the Johnson Fold side of Moss Bank Park.

This follows a swift removal of Travellers on the same park last week.

Within the encampment, there were washing lines, a quad bike, and what looked to be a group of approximately 10 caravans.

Bolton Council has been contacted for comment.

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Its usual action is to serve a notice to leave the encampment within 10 days, or face a court summons, from a council officer.

This procedure has happened in other parks in the borough, including Longsight Park in Harwood.

Travellers also moved onto golf courses in Westhoughton this month.

Recently, new barriers have been installed at two entrances to Longsight Park, which follows an unauthorised traveller encampment earlier this year and ongoing concerns over antisocial behaviour.

One barrier has been fitted at the main park entrance, with another installed at the Arboretum entrance.

The new measures come after eight caravans occupied the park in May, prompting a clean-up operation after volunteers reported rubbish, damage, and human waste had been left behind.

Town hall chiefs have spent more than £19,000 to remove Travellers from their land.

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The Bolton News submitted a Freedom of Information Request following a number of unauthorised Traveller encampments in and around Bolton in recent weeks and months.

The money spent covers the past two years, but almost all of the costs have fallen within a single year.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act show the authority spent £16,926.90 during 2024/25, compared with nothing in 2023/24 and £2,430 in 2025/26.

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The figures cover the cost of removing or evicting travellers from land after unauthorised encampments across the borough.

Unauthorised encampments on private land are generally the responsibility of the landowner, who must take legal steps if they wish to seek possession of the land.

Gypsies and Travellers are protected from discrimination under equality legislation, while landowners also have legal rights when unauthorised encampments take place.