Footpaths closed for prestigious golf event
PREPARATIONS for the 2017 Open Championship are set to come to the fore in a couple of months.
Golf’s most prestigious championship returns to the Royal Birkdale from July 16 to 23. The world’s best golfers will show off their skills at the course - with dreams of lifting the famous claret jug.
The distinguished event is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors into the town over a single weekend, along with millions of pounds of ‘outside’ money.
However the championship also brings with it some disruption.
Documents on Sefton Council’s website state that ‘in order to facilitate the Championship’, it will be necessary to close public footpaths and nature trails across Southport.
Workers are due to start constructing a tented village, TV compound and car parking on the site. Construction will begin on Monday May 16, and the site will be vacated by Monday August 28.
In order to facilitate this, the council will shut two adjacent footpaths at Birkdale Nature Trail.
Sefton Council’s website goes on to state that “alternative routes will be provided wherever possible. However, for a short period of time in mid to late July, no such alternative routes will be able to be provided.
“The closures will be phased to allow the construction of the various elements of the Championship to take place whilst maintaining safety for the public and minimising inconvenience to users of the footpaths.”
Some Visiter readers have stated their disappointment at the disruption.
Christine Lloyd said: “Public ground should not be closed to the public. It’s not like we interfere with the golfers or their land.”
Mik Lawson said: “It’s great the event is being held here, not so good that locals can’t go about normal routines, though.”
However, others say it is a ‘worthwhile inconvenience’.
Neville Grundy said: “I have no interest in sport but this is a massive event that will bring prestige and a lot of money into the town. Big events need temporary closures sometimes – look at the Christmas lights etc. Needs must.”
Georgina Gillen added: “There are miles of beach and woodlands to walk on. For the sake of a few months, the path closures are definitely worth it.”