Time to reopen beach car parks

RESIDENTS and visitors alike experienced huge frustration last weekend, when parts of the borough were in total gridlock – and there was nowhere to park.

With amazing events such as the Southport Food and Drink Festival, Race for Life, and Southport Country Fair all taking place on the same day, combined with some of the hottest weather of the year so far, thousands of people headed for Sefton.

But many who wanted to visit parts of Southport, Ainsdale and Formby were simply unable to get anywhere near, and the last thing anyone wants to do on a hot, sunny day is sit in a queue of traffic.

The region is easily reached by public transport, with Formby and Ainsdale well served by Merseyrail’s Northern Line, but, given the vast number of visitors to the array of high-profile events, all Merseytravel’s services were subject to delay and disruption.

Never mind the fact that public transport can be less than ideal if you have young children and need to bring a change of clothes, sunscreen and a string of other provisions with you for your day out.

We’re extremely lucky to have the events calendar we do in Southport, but when people are unable to reach the town, not only are they put off returning, but the local economy misses out.

Sefton Council has controversially reduced beach parking, but last weekend, and similar congestion in recent weeks, proves the demand for it.

Something needs to be done so that as many people as possible can visit our coastline – and nobody is turned away.