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A recent dispute along the River Tonge in Bolton, Greater Manchester, has left residents at odds with landowner Sam Bancroft over illegal digging activities. Andrea Marland, a long-time resident of Tonge Moor, expressed her dismay after Mr. Bancroft allegedly dug away part of the riverbank she owns, resulting in the destruction of trees and wildlife. Ms. Marland and a group of concerned individuals have lodged complaints about the unauthorized work, which Mr. Bancroft defended as necessary to safeguard his land from erosion.
Despite warnings from the Environment Agency in 2021 and 2025 regarding the lack of required permits for flood risk activities, Mr. Bancroft persisted in his excavation activities. Ms. Marland, who has resided by the river for over three decades, detailed the devastation caused by Mr. Bancroft’s actions, including the creation of a ramp for his digger and a 90m channel through her land. Video footage captured by Ms. Marland has documented Mr. Bancroft using equipment to transfer soil from her property to his adjacent riverbank without prior consent, leading to growing frustration among residents.
The unauthorized digging work conducted by Mr. Bancroft has drawn criticism for allegedly harming healthy trees and disrupting local wildlife habitats. Wildlife campaigner Christopher Banks highlighted the impacts on kingfishers, who may avoid the area due to the alteration of their habitats. Calling the digging “unacceptable,” Mr. Banks urged the Environment Agency to intervene decisively against Mr. Bancroft to protect the ecosystem along the River Tonge. Residents, including Pauline Riley, expressed frustration over the perceived inaction of regulatory authorities in addressing the ongoing dispute and safeguarding the environmental integrity of the river.
Acknowledging his lack of permits, Mr. Bancroft defended his riverbank reinforcement efforts as confined to his property and clarified his financial constraints as a reason for not obtaining the necessary permissions. Following enforcement orders from the Environment Agency in July 2025, Mr. Bancroft ceased his activities, albeit amidst growing concerns and outrage among local residents. Calls for stronger regulatory oversight and decisive intervention to address the environmental impact of the unauthorized digging have reverberated throughout the Bolton community, underscoring the need for urgent resolution and remediation actions
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