Enjoy yourselves... keep your distance
SEFTON Coast Landscape Partnership is urging anyone planning a visit in the coming weeks to take a cautious and considerate approach.
The warning comes as national restrictions on the number of people allowed to meet outdoors is relaxed.
Partnership members, which include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents.
Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s director of public health, said: “These are the very early steps out of lockdown but the message for all of us is still clear.
“While the relaxation of measures allows us to enjoy some outdoor socialising, it’s not an open invitation for us all to return to the coast, particularly if we don’t live locally.
“Travel must still be minimised, and people are being advised not to travel at busy times, so for some a trip to the coast may need to wait for the further easing of restrictions.
“It’s vital that we all continue do everything we can to allow the gradual lifting of restrictions to continue.
“That means getting vaccinated when we’re offered it, getting tested if we have symptoms and self-isolating when needed.
“Sticking to the basics of hands, face and space – even when meeting with others in outdoor spaces – remain vital. Social distancing and advice to minimise travel are there to protect ourselves, or families and our friends.
“We all want to be able to enjoy being outdoors again, but we are asking people to be considerate to local residents and to each other.”
Mark Shaw, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton service manager, said: “The continued restrictions around coronavirus have amplified the issues our borough often experiences at coastal locations on busy weekends and Bank Holidays.
“We are welcoming people back cautiously, with the Green Sefton team ready for the spring and summer season, but we are still relying on people taking personal responsibility when they spend time at the coast.
“There is no single solution to many of the issues we face but we’re joining forces with our partners once more to implement measures to deal with issues such as littering and irresponsible parking.
“But we also need people to think sensibly about whether they need to come to the coast yet while restrictions gradually ease through the Government’s roadmap.
“What’s more, the Sefton coast is an internationally protected beautiful nature reserve and we would ask that people treat it with the respect it deserves.”
Last year, Sefton Council drew up a Coastal Visitor Action Plan, which will be reinstated again this year. The plan is there to ensure Sefton’s coastline is safe for residents, visitors and the council’s own staff.
A range of measures put into place last year by Sefton Council have been reviewed and plans for the spring and summer season 2021 include:
Reopening both Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks across the summer until the end of September to ease parking complaints in residential areas and to maximise the number of parking spaces
The implementation of a cashless payment system at beach car parks
The opening of the overflow car park at Cambridge Road, Crosby at peak times
Variable traffic signs will be used to direct vehicles to locations where parking is available and away from areas that are full – like Formby which often reaches capacity
Enforcement for illegal and inconsiderate parking targeted at the areas where concerns persist – access for emergency vehicles is also essential
Additional Green Sefton Rangers have been recruited for 2021 to assist with car park management, beach cleaning and providing assistance to visitors
Portable loos located at Crosby and Ainsdale beaches once again
Skips will again be used at coastal locations to ensure litter can be disposed of, but visitors will be reminded to take their rubbish home with them
Rangers will frequently empty litter bins but also urge visitors to take their litter home in free rubbish sacks provided for them during peak periods
Volunteer ‘beach ambassadors’ on hand at peak times to educate visitors on the special nature of the Sefton coastline, and asking that they respect it when they come.
More about Sefton’s beaches us found on the Sefton Council website.