Trafford plans for Travellers to use land in Altrincham

Trafford Council is looking to find an area of Trafford to relocate some of the traveller community and has been considering a section of green belt land just off Seamons Road in Altrincham.

According to the council, they have not made any decisions yet and will be holding public consultations soon to see what residents think of the idea, or maybe even find another area that is more suitable.

It is not fully known why the council has decided to do this after many years of fighting to clear the travellers from parks and other places. They let them stay on Boyer Street in Old Trafford in 2024, but according to the council, not one traveller took up the offer!

Another site was looked at in Urmston in 2024; Gypsy Travellers had a big area in Partington to live in for a while, but due to yet more houses being built, that area had to be cleared.

In recent times, the travellers have come back to park caravans on parks and other green spaces and have been removed. Some have complied, and no action has been taken; those who defy the council and police end up being evicted, which is not the preferred route.

We know some of them leave lots of rubbish and other things we don’t want to mention, which doesn’t help. Having their own space, though, would mean they will care for the area, as it would be their home!

If the council approves plans to locate them on the land in the picture, they would be perfectly located for the Trans Pennine Trail and have Altrincham Retail Park and other amenities nearby. The question, though, is whether the businesses of Atlantic Street would be happy having their new neighbours.

The car park at the start of the Trans Pennine Trail might also become unavailable if the council approves the land to be used for the travellers; there are lots of things to consider and a consultation before any decisions are made.