Welcome: but treat beauty with greatest of respect
JUST one day of hot weather and arriving the next morning shortly after first light, the coast was strewn with litter.
Why is it so hard for people to understand? You bring something to the coast, you can take it home with you.
It’s not a question of putting in more bins (although skips are being provided at beach entrances again this year) – the issue is one of responsibility, and even after a relatively cold Easter weekend it is still a point that needs pushing home.
If you want to visit the Sefton coast, compliant with current Covid regulations, surely you are looking for a pleasant landscape and fresh air – why would you want to turn it into a rubbish tip? Take your litter home.
It is a testimony to the tireless work of the Green Sefton coastal team (and National Trust, Natural England and RSPB staff ) and volunteers who constantly collect the debris left behind by the plain selfish that the coast looks as good as it does.
On the subject of volunteers, thanks to our first coastal ambassadors of 2021 who came to help with beach cleaning at Crosby, Ainsdale and Southport over the Bank Holiday weekend. Much appreciated.
If you would like to get involved in our volunteer coastal ambassador scheme (this runs separately to our excellent community beach cleaning groups), please contact me at john.dempsey@ sefton.gov.uk – the more the merrier.
On a wider scale, the partners of the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership have once again got together to draw up a coastal action plan for the coming summer, much like last year’s initiative.
Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others are urging anyone planning on visiting to make a cautious and considerate approach to coming.
Mark Shaw, Green Sefton’s service manager, explained: “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, but we are still relying on visitors taking personal responsibility when they spend time on the coast.”
And Sefton Community Police Superintendent Graeme
Robson added: “We will continue to work closely alongside our partners to deal with any issues on Sefton’s coastlines and help ensure those who live locally are able to enjoy the outdoors safely.
“Anyone found to be parking illegally or without consideration for residents will be dealt with by our patrols, in partnership with the local authority. Anyone acting anti-socially should expect to be dealt with by police in a robust manner.”
Merseyside Fire and Rescue station manager Joe Cunliffe had another clear message: “Please ensure that if you are visiting the Sefton coastline, do so safely. Disposable barbecues and campfires are NOT allowed anywhere on the Sefton Coast, the dunes or the woods. Please take your rubbish home with you, don’t drop cigarettes or leaves bottles on the ground.”
At the risk of sounding like a scratched record, the message is simple – respect, protect and enjoy the Sefton Coast.
No barbecues, fires or camping, take your litter home and do not disturb our precious wildlife.
Keep dogs under control and out of pools and follow all onsite directions.