Enjoy our beaches but please respect & protect
PAST the equinox and hurtling into spring, this is always a very busy time on the Sefton shore and dune system for all the partners who look after this protected natural coast.
Preparations must be put in place over the next few weeks for thousands of visitors who will descend on the 20 miles of sand dune coast that lies between Crosby and the Ribble over the warmer months.
Many come to enjoy the spectacular flora and fauna, or beautiful landscapes, but just as many come to sit on the beach and soak up the sun.
To make sure everyone enjoys the coastline, but also treats it with respect, there are a number of key messages that we try to get across to visitors, whether locals or visitors from further afield.
In recent years, with lockdowns and travel restrictions having an influence, the coast has become more popular than ever and it is not unusual to meet people who travel here for the day from as far away as Warwickshire, Yorkshire and even Glasgow.
Many locals will already have applied for beach parking permits and the parking areas on Ainsdale and Southport beach are due to open shortly.
Sefton Council is continuing the price freeze on season tickets at its Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks for all residents.
This means residents who are regular visitors to the coast, will pay just £30 for the annual tickets. As part of Sefton Council’s drive to combat climate change, the £30 offer is also available to any electric or hybrid car users.
A £2 reduction to the standard day visitor rate will mean parking on Southport beach will cost just £8 per day, while the daily cost at Ainsdale beach will remain at £10. Prices are halved after 4pm subject to available space and the cost for horseboxes or minibuses at both sites is £16 per day.
Beach parking re-opens at Ainsdale on Friday, April 1 and at Southport from Tuesday, April 5, because of high tides.
Season tickets are now available to buy online at https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/ beachparking
Ainsdale, which has 2,000 spaces and Southport, which has 400, are among just a handful of on beach car parks across the UK. Unsurprisingly they are closed at some high tides and they may be limited in capacity at other times.
Once you are on the beach or have ventured onto our protected natural coast, which is made up of a chain of internationally important nature reserves, it is vital that everyone, whether local or visitor, respects the sites.
This means all dog fouling should be picked up, bagged and left in the nearest bin. Failure to do so can result in a fixed penalty notice or fine.
BBQs, fires and camping are not allowed. It is all crucial that visitors do not disturb wildlife or habitats - one of the main reasons this marvellous place is so attractive is because it is protected by law.
Please respect that - do not disturb resting, feeding or breeding birds (nesting season has begun now) and keep dogs out of all flooded areas and pools (whether fenced or not) in the dunes.
If you can’t see your dog, you do not have it under control.
Please take all your litter home with you if bins are full (with thousands of visitors each day at the height of summer it is a full -time job for the team to empty them) do not leave rubbish beside them.
If you brought it to the coast, you can take it home with you! Respect, protect and enjoy Sefton’s natural coast.
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John works for Green Sefton, the Sefton Council service that brings together the coast & countryside, parks & green spaces, flooding & coastal erosion, risk management and grounds maintenance teams for a joined-up approach to the vital management, development and oversight of Sefton’s beautiful coastline, parks and green spaces. This column looks at the flora, fauna and history of the coastline, and the work carried out to protect it.