Playing fields in south Manchester have been taped off after an ‘eviction’ left a ‘huge quantity’ of ‘potentially hazardous waste’. Signs warning park users, which is the home ground of rugby union team Broughton Park FC and popular with dog walkers, said there was ‘potentially hazardous waste’ in the area. Photos sent to the Local Democracy Reporting Service on Monday (June 23) show a stretch of bushes taped off, with a close-up image featuring Manchester City Council’s logo. Now the authority has confirmed it has blocked access to sections of Hough End Playing Fields, in Chorlton , so they can be cleaned up. A Manchester City Council spokesperson said the waste was found after a ‘traveller encampment’ was ‘evicted’ from the Fields last Friday (June 20). They said in a statement: "An encampment of travellers was evicted from Hough End Playing Fields on Friday, June 20. “The site was assessed and re-secured and an initial clean-up operation to remove a huge quantity of waste was undertaken. "The removal of the remaining waste by our contractor Biffa has started today to ensure that this part of Hough End is re-opened and accessible for residents once again.” The statement from the authority added it will investigate security for the park. The spokesperson continued: “We continuously review our site security and we will work with the rugby club to see how we can both better secure this site for the future." Manchester council spent millions on a controversial expansion of the Fields’ leisure centre that opened in 2022, with campaigners arguing building car parks and artificial sports pitches on the grass was bad for the environment. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable , highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.