Key Points
- PSPO Proposal Dropped: Bolton Council has officially decided not to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at Moses Gate Country Park.
- Safety Warnings Continue: Despite dropping the proposed order, local authorities are maintaining strong warnings regarding the dangers of fires and barbecues in public parks.
- Reasoning Behind Decision: The local authority concluded that a specific PSPO targeting fires and barbecues is not appropriate or suitable at this stage.
- Risk Factors Highlighted: Major concerns remain regarding significant fire risks, extensive damage to local habitats, and the physical safety of park visitors.
- Ongoing Patrols and Monitoring: Council officers and police will continue to actively monitor the country park, supported by newly installed warning signage and community patrols.
Bolton (Bolton Today) July 16, 2026 - Bolton Council has officially ruled out the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at Moses Gate Country Park, reversing a decision that was once actively considered to combat a rise in anti-social fire-lighting and unauthorised barbecues. Despite dropping the prospect of this tougher legislative measure, local authority officials have stressed that strict safety warnings remain in place across the park's grasslands and open spaces to protect visitors, habitats, and local wildlife.
The possibility of introducing a PSPO was initially raised following repeated incidents of fire damage, which left behind scorched grass, charred picnic benches, and multiple unauthorized fire pits throughout the popular country park. Local ward councillors and council officers have been actively visiting the site to assess the damage, resulting in a decision to increase safety signage and step up police and park ranger patrols rather than pursuing a legally binding exclusion zone.
Why has Bolton Council decided against a PSPO at Moses Gate Country Park?
As reported by local government reporters for The Bolton News, a spokesperson for Bolton Council stated that:
"A Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was considered for Moses Gate Country Park. It was decided that a specific order to address fires and barbecues would not be suitable currently."
While the statutory legal framework of a PSPO would have allowed officers to issue spot fines and initiate criminal prosecutions for lighting fires or using barbecues, the council has determined that such a heavy-handed legislative measure is not appropriate at this particular stage. They believe that community engagement, targeted monitoring, and public cooperation are more proportionate tools to manage the problem.
However, the local authority has made it clear that this decision is not an invitation for visitors to bring open flames into the park. The spokesperson added:
"However, due to the significant risk of fire, damage to habitats, and potential danger to visitors, Bolton Council does not encourage the use of fires or barbecues within its parks and open spaces."
What are the ongoing safety risks at Moses Gate Country Park?
The decision to bypass a formal PSPO comes at a time when fire safety on public grasslands remains a critical concern for emergency services across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Uncontrolled barbecues, campfires, and discarded cooking equipment pose severe threats to fragile local ecosystems and public safety.
According to council reports, the park has suffered visible scars from past incidents, including scorched parklands and burnt-out public picnic benches. In response, the local authority is urging all park users to take personal responsibility for protecting the local environment. Visitors are being asked to safeguard regional wildlife and support public safety efforts by completely refraining from lighting fires or setting up portable barbecues during their visits.
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How are local leaders addressing the problems at the park?
As reported by journalists at The Bolton News, Councillor Hamid Khurram, the Executive Member for Stronger Communities and representative for the Farnworth North ward, has been actively working with local officers to address the ongoing issues at Moses Gate Country Park. Speaking on the collaborative efforts to keep the park safe, Cllr Khurram stated:
"We have visited with officers and the request we are making is that everybody wants to enjoy the park but it is very important that people care about others. So we are looking into what we can do."
Rather than relying on restrictive legal orders, the focus has shifted toward education, visible deterrents, and community awareness. Cllr Khurram explained the actions taken so far, stating:
"We have put signs there, asked officers to visit it and asked people to use the park safely so others can use it. I have not received many complaints about it afterwards, and we have asked council officers and police to keep an eye on it."
The introduction of prominent warning signs and increased patrol presence from both council community safety officers and Greater Manchester Police appears to have yielded positive early results, with a noticeable drop in reported incidents.
What is a Public Spaces Protection Order and how does it work?
Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a measure designed to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space. For an order to be put in place, a local authority must be satisfied that the targeted activities have a detrimental effect on the local community's quality of life and that the behaviour is persistent and unreasonable.
Had a PSPO been implemented at Moses Gate Country Park, it would have made lighting fires or using barbecues a criminal offence within the park's boundaries. Authorized officers would have had the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) on the spot, with failure to pay potentially leading to prosecution in a magistrates' court and a fine of up to £1,000. While neighboring areas have successfully used PSPOs to manage moorland fire risks, Bolton Council is currently favouring a softer approach of monitoring and public education for this specific country park.