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Author: Martin Driver

Enjoy our beaches safely this summer – joint plea for visitors to be respectful at Sefton’s coast

19 July 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Health, Latest News

A number of organisations across Sefton are joining forces once again this summer to ensure local communities, and visitors from across the North West, can enjoy Sefton’s coastlines safely as coronavirus restrictions ease further.

Take personal responsibility at the coast

The joint action also aims to encourage people to take personal responsibility at the coast. Asking them to plan how they are going to get to the beach, to take all litter home with them and to show respect and kindness to staff, the environment and fellow visitors.

It also sets out the boundaries of what is and isn’t acceptable at the coast to keep everyone safe. Such as that fires and BBQs are not allowed anywhere; that there are water safety risks at the coast so people should follow the advice of lifeguards; and that anti-social behaviour simply isn’t acceptable.

Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership

The agencies who make up the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership are making the joint plea and will be sharing important messages covering many of the issues faced on the Sefton coast throughout the school summer holidays.

Members of the partnership include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and other key partners like Merseyrail.

Already this year there has been a huge influx of visitors to local beaches during fine weather and out of school term times. It is anticipated that with people still planning staycations this year, many will be looking to enjoy spending time at the Sefton coast.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “First and foremost, the Sefton Coast is an internationally protected nature reserve and we need your help to keep it that way. So, when people are planning their day trips this summer, we need them to be well prepared and to play their own vital role in ensuring that the coast remains a great place to enjoy spending time.

“Please listen to what we are collectively saying with our partners, be that important water safety information, fire risk concerns, travel advice or environmental issues around litter and wildlife.”

Covid-19 still with us

While outdoor spaces are safer for people to spend time and interact with others this summer, the easing of restrictions should still be met with continued caution as Sefton’s Public Health lead outlined last week.  

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: â€œCOVID-19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue after Monday 19th July but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality.”

Meanwhile the Council’s Green Sefton team and its partners have important messages for all beach visitors this summer season.

All need to be responsible and considerate

Mark Shaw, Green Sefton Service Manager, at Crosby beach
Mark Shaw, Green Sefton Service Manager, at Crosby beach

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton Service Manager, said: “We are ready and well prepared to welcome people back to our beaches safely again this summer, but we ask in return that they behave responsibly and with consideration to each other, local residents, our staff and our beautiful environment.

“Joining forces once more with fellow land owners and emergency services means that we are doing our bit to keep everyone safe and create a positive atmosphere for those choosing to come to our beaches. But our visitors themselves really are the other key players in this partnership.”

Sefton Community Police Superintendent Graeme Robson said: “This summer, officers will be on foot, in vehicles and on quad bikes across the Sefton coastline and at local beauty spots. We know we’re lucky to have this on our doorstep and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it.

“Anyone acting antisocially or drinking alcohol at our beaches will be dealt with by police in a robust manner. Please plan visits carefully and give attention when parking by considering local residents. It’s also vital that we protect the local environment by not starting fires and by taking any litter home with us.”

Protect precious wildlife and habitats

Beach safety banner at Ainsdale
Beach safety banner at Ainsdale

Amy Peacock, Property Operations Manager at National Trust Formby, said: “This summer we’re here to welcome people who love to visit Formby, whilst caring for all the wonderful wildlife at this special nature haven.

“On busy days our car parks can fill up quickly. We close our car parks to visitors once they are full to help us make sure that Formby is a safe environment for everyone who visits us. We recommend that visitors to Formby beat the queues and travel by train, or perhaps plan their visit for a quieter day. We’re open seven days a week all year round.

“Together we can create an enjoyable experience for everyone and protect precious wildlife by being mindful of nature and the people around us.”

Dave Mercer, Senior Reserve Manager for Natural England, said: “The Sefton coast is an amazing place to visit and one of the most important areas in the country for wildlife; it is home to many rare plants and insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and many species of birds.

“Please bear this in mind when you visit this summer and follow the countryside code by keeping dogs under control, taking litter home and refraining from lighting fires and BBQs. If you can visit on foot, by bike or train to reduce the number of cars, especially in hot weather, that will be a great help as will following advice from the emergency services and site staff who are here to help you safely enjoy the beach, dunes and pinewoods and if you are lucky, see some of the wildlife that lives here.”

Water safety

Close up of new water safety signage at Crosby beach
Close up of new water safety signage at Crosby beach

Michael Buratti, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard, said: “Even though the weather is warming up, please take extra care before taking a plunge in the sea as it can still be chilly and bring on cold water shock.

“It also pays to check the wind, weather and tides before setting out and observe local safety advice such as avoiding soft patches of mud on the beach, ensuring dogs are on leads, going to a lifeguarded beach where possible and carrying a fully-charged mobile phone, so you’re able to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if anyone is in trouble.”

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead in the North West, said: “Our advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach where possible and to swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards offer advice on how to stay safe and help anyone who gets into trouble. Whether you’re at a lifeguarded beach or not, look out for safety signage and seek advice on safe places to swim, always keep your children under supervision and avoid swimming alone where possible.

“Coastal areas provide a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and open space, but they can be an unpredictable environment, particularly during early summer when air temperatures start warming up, but water temperatures remain very cold, increasing the risk of cold-water shock.”

Other ways to travel to the beach – not just by car

Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said: “During the summer months we see a large influx of passengers travelling on our network to beauty spots such as Formby beach and we do all that we can to keep passengers safe including running six-car trains wherever possible.

“By working with our partners in the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership we want to ensure that everyone visiting the coast can enjoy it safely and responsibly.

“This includes being respectful of passengers and staff while travelling. So please listen to our staff who will issue advice where needed and be on-hand to deal with any concerns you have, ensuring you have a wonderful day out.”

People can follow the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership agencies Twitter accounts for more advice, news and videos throughout the summer: @SeftonCouncil @MerseyFire @MerseyPolice @RNLI @MCA_media @BTPMersey @NaturalEngland @NTFormby @Merseyrail

The continued work of the partnership will also be communicated through the Council’s My Sefton website, Sefton Council’s Facebook page  and on Instagram Sefton_Council.

‘Living with COVID-19 and life after 19th July’ – joint statement from the Directors of Public Health in Cheshire and Merseyside on the national changes to COVID-19 restrictions

16 July 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News
  • Directors of Public Health in Cheshire and Merseyside’s nine local council areas – Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington and Wirral – are issuing advice for residents and businesses
  • Alongside take up of the COVID-19 vaccination, the local public health advice is to continue as much as possible with the use of face coverings, social distancing, good hand hygiene and regular testing
  • Continuing already existing behaviours will decrease the likelihood of a dangerous and potentially vaccine-resistant mutation of the virus, protect unvaccinated children and lower the number of people who fall ill with COVID-19 and develop ‘long COVID’

Rising infections locally

Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health, working together as the Champs Public Health Collaborative, are asking those living and working in the area to go above and beyond the minimum required, in the light of rising COVID-19 infections locally and changes to the national COVID-19 restrictions.

People are being asked to take their individual and collective role to reduce the transmission of the virus incredibly seriously, and not see the 19th July as a reason to stop all behaviours that have helped to reduce the spread of the virus over the past 16 months, especially when in close contact with others.

This is very important, as infection rates are high in the area and historically, the North West of England has been more impacted by the virus than other areas, due to structural inequalities. This means recovery from the pandemic will take longer unless residents continue to take steps to minimise harm right now.

This advice will also support local businesses and the wider economy, as increased transmission of the virus will result in major disruptions if staff are unable to work due to being unwell with COVID-19 and legally required to self-isolate.

Full statement from Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health:

We absolutely understand the feeling of our residents who want nothing more than to get back to normal, but it is our role as Directors of Public Health to be realistic about the future of this pandemic and do everything we can to protect the health of our population.

The early evidence suggests that the hugely successful mass vaccination programme has weakened the link between infection of risk of hospitalisation and loss of life, which is incredibly encouraging, but that unfortunately is not the end of this story. It is clear that a massive rise in infections will impact our unvaccinated children and teenagers, those who have not been vaccinated, either due to personal choice or another medical reason, or those who have been vaccinated but fall within the lower percentage of people who are not protected.

Another very real danger is the risk of yet another mutation of the virus that is both easier to catch and could render our current vaccines powerless, essentially taking us back to square one.

We are urging those living and working in Cheshire and Merseyside to:

  • Get fully vaccinated – it’s shown to be safe and effective against the virus, including new variants and is the best way to keep yourself from getting seriously ill. It also reduces the risk of passing the virus on to someone else
  • Be kind and considerate of others who may be feeling extremely nervous about the further lifting of restrictions
  • Continue wearing face coverings in crowded indoor areas where social distancing cannot be followed, such as supermarkets and on public transport, in health and social care settings, such as hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries, and where it would make others feel more comfortable
  • Continue social distancing by not unnecessarily being in crowded areas and continuing to work from home if possible
  • Continue to practice good hand hygiene, in particular hand washing
  • Keep getting tested – everyone should undertake twice weekly rapid symptom free testing using Lateral Flow Tests (LFT). If people experience generally associated symptoms such as a headache, a stuffed or runny nose, tiredness or weakness, aches and pains, sore throat or diarrhoea, they should take an LFT and follow up with a PCR test if the LFT test is positive. If people have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste they must stay at home and book a PCR test. Around one in three people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms, but can still infect others – so getting tested regularly will help slow the spread.
  • Self-isolate if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, especially if you work in a high-risk setting

We are urging businesses and workplaces in Cheshire and Merseyside to:

  • Continue to adhere to COVID-19 working safely guidance, including provision of washing facilities and proper ventilation with external fresh air
  • Continue to engage with the Test, Trace and Isolate process, and increase testing if your workplace has had an outbreak
  • Encourage your employees to get tested if they suspect they have COVID-19 symptoms and self-isolate if positive
  • Encourage your employees to have both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine when it is offered

It is difficult to say when this way of living will end, but we do know that we are likely to have a difficult winter ahead of us, which means it is likely we will need to follow this advice until spring next year.

For many this will be unwelcome, but ultimately, it is necessary. Throughout this pandemic, we have witnessed from our population extraordinary levels of personal resilience, as well as kindness and thoughtful consideration towards others, and it is with this in mind that we ask you to continue your efforts in being strong, being kind and being safe.

Stay safe,

Dr Matt Tyrer

Director of Public Health for Cheshire East

Ian Ashworth

Director of Public Health Cheshire West and Chester

Eileen O’Meara

Director of Public Health for Halton

Dr Sarah McNulty

Director of Public Health for Knowsley

Professor Matt Ashton

Director of Public Health for Liverpool

Margaret Jones

Director of Public Health for Sefton

Ruth Du Plessis

Director of Public Health for St Helens

Thara Raj

Director of Public Health for Warrington

Julie Webster

Director of Public Health for Wirral

Get a test

To learn more about the Champs Public Health Collaborative, please visit www.champspublichealth.com.

Anyone who gets a positive result from a rapid test can book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Directors are also keen to stress how important it is for anyone with the Coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell, to self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

For those who need support during this difficult time please visit www.kindtoyourmind.org which has details of 24/7 crisis helplines and resources to help mental wellbeing.

Call for caution echoed by Metro Mayor and England’s Police Chiefs

In line with Sefton Council’s appeal to people to remain COVID-cautious after Monday 19th July, when the Government is lifting most remaining restrictions, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham wants people to continue wearing masks on public transport.

Also, police chiefs say that “to keep officers safe” they will continue to wear masks and other protective equipment after the legal requirements are lifted on Monday.

Read the article in full.

Why wildflower meadows are blooming marvellous for Sefton

15 July 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

With wildflower meadows in full bloom across the Borough, we’re celebrating their importance in boosting our biodiversity, tackling the climate emergency and bringing nature to people’s doorsteps.

Here’s a few examples from across the Borough of why wildflower meadows are so vital.

Wildflower meadow trail – LCR Community Environment Fund

Ten wildflower sites across the region, including in Sefton, have been transformed by local children and residents bringing colour and nature to urban communities.

They were created by the Head North for Beauty project with a ÂŁ49,000 grant from the ÂŁ500,000 Liverpool City Region Community Environment Fund, established by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

They form part of a new wildflower meadow trail from Everton in North Liverpool, through to Litherland in Sefton. The sites were ploughed in April and schoolchildren from All Saints Catholic Primary School and local residents helped sow the new meadows.

Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram with children from All Saints Catholic Primary School in Bootle at Gray Street/Peel Road site
Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram with children from All Saints Catholic Primary School in Bootle at Gray Street/Peel Road site

The meadows are now being looked after by volunteer community wildflower rangers.

Social enterprise Regenerus, the organisation which brought the Anthony Gormley statues to Crosby Beach, has partnered with Scouse Flowerhouse, The National Wildflower Centre, the Eden Project three local housing associations, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Council and the local community to create the meadows which attract wildlife, including bees, and aid carbon capture.

Liverpool has the country’s highest number of council wards with wildflower meadows – which are increasingly appreciated for their biodiversity benefits. Yet 97% of UK wildflower meadows have been lost since 1947.

Lowering the carbon footprint is high on the list of priorities for the Metro Mayor and in Sefton the Council is on track to be net zero carbon by 2030 – a target which was set out in its Climate Emergency declaration in 2019.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “We have ambitious plans to tackle climate change in the city region, the climate emergency remains the biggest long-term challenge our region – and in fact the world – faces.

“We can all make a difference if we get together within our communities and each do our bit, whether that’s improving air quality with these beautiful wildflower meadows or leaving the car at home and walking or cycling to work. Our Community Environment Fund projects are promoting environmental issues at a grassroots level and deserve to be supported.”

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory and Corporate Services said: “We all have a role to play in protecting our planet, wildlife and each other from the effects of climate change and here in Sefton, supporting schemes like the wildflower trail is just one of the ways we are tackling this issue.

“It’s fantastic to see our natural and urban landscapes being celebrated, and we’ll continue to work with our communities, asking them to stop and think about small changes they can make to keep our Borough clean, green and beautiful.”

Rimrose Wildflower Meadow expansion

In March 2021, Sefton Council supported Victoria ward councillors to expand the Rimrose Valley Country Park wildflower meadow scheme, which already covered a large area near to the running track.

Rimrose Valley Wildflower Meadow
Rimrose Valley Wildflower Meadow

The community project was originally launched in 2019 by the Friends of Rimrose Valley group and aimed to create Merseyside’s largest wildflower meadow.

It was made possible thanks to the Sefton Crowd – Sefton Council’s online crowdfunding platform. Over ÂŁ4,600 was pledged to support the ‘Bees, Blooms & Butterflies’ project.

With additional funding sourced earlier this year, a further 1.5 hectares were sown in the spring across the area between Derwent road and Queensway, adjacent to the Queensway Allotments.

The area is now in flower and has resulted in a total of 2.5 hectares of meadow in the Rimrose area.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “It’s fantastic to see this project quite literally flourish into a stunning wildflower meadow, creating a long-lasting environmental legacy for the people of South Sefton and beyond.”

Plantlife’s ‘Every Flower Counts’

If you’ve been inspired by hearing about Sefton’s wildflower havens, you’ve got until this Sunday 18th July, to take part in Plantlife’s flower count.

Plantlife is a charity that works nationally and internationally to raise the profile of wildflowers, plants and fungi. It celebrates their beauty and carries out important work to protect their future.

To take part in the count, simply count the number of flowers in a square metre patch of lawn, submit to the Plantlife website and they’ll tell you how much nectar they’re producing and how many bees they’ll feed with your own Personal Nectar Score.

When it comes to providing vital nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other insects, every flower counts. The more wild flowers you have in your lawn the more nectar will be produced.

From your results, Plantlife will calculate a National Nectar Index to show how lawns across Britain are helping to feed pollinators. They’ll also reveal the top ten lawn flowers and show how to increase the number of flowers in your lawn.

Find out more on the Plantlife website: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/everyflowercounts/

Sefton Council’s call for caution echoed by Metro Mayor and England’s Police Chiefs

15 July 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized

People in the street wearing masksIn line with Sefton Council’s appeal to people to remain COVID-cautious after Monday 19th July, when the Government is lifting most remaining restrictions, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham wants people to continue wearing masks on public transport.

Also, police chiefs say that “to keep officers safe” they will continue to wear masks and other protective equipment after the legal requirements are lifted on Monday.

On Monday, the Prime Minister said the Government recommends people continue to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces including on public transport. But it is no longer a legal requirement.

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s announcement, Sefton Council advised people to continue wearing face coverings in busy indoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible.

Last week, Sefton Council leader Ian Maher stressed that people have the right to take whatever action makes them feel safe.

Courtesy and consideration

Cllr Maher said: “It is clear from people’s reaction to the government’s announcement it plans to abandon measures to protect people from COVID from Monday 19th July that this is causing real fears for a lot of people.

“While some people will want to get rid of masks straight away, others will want to continue wearing them and have every right to do so. Wearing masks have proven to protect the wearer and those people who they come into contact with from catching COVID.

“I know many of us are now double vaccinated and feel safer but despite being jabbed up we can still contract the virus without feeling any ill effects and pass it on to others. This may include those who remain vulnerable to COVID, people with other medical conditions that make them susceptible to illness as well as front-line health workers who are acutely aware of the virus and it effects.

“So, continuing to wear a mask can be seen as an act of courtesy and consideration as much as self-protection.”

And on Monday, Sefton Council urged ongoing caution.

Protect ourselves and others

Sefton’s Director of Public Health Margaret Jones said: “COVID-19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue after Monday 19th July but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality.”

Yesterday, Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham joined four other mayors, in calling for the continuation of mask-wearing after Monday 19th July. Metro Mayor Rotherham said he couldn’t force privately-owned transport companies to make masks and face covering mandatory, but said he is keen to reach an agreement with transport operators.

Mersey Ferries

Mr Rotheram has been able to make masks mandatory on Mersey Ferries.

After the legal requirement is lifted on Monday 19th July, bus and train companies can still turn away customers who refuse to cover their noses and mouths.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said that wearing a face mask is protecting other people.

Police

Police officers will continue to wear masks and other protective equipment after legal requirements are lifted in England on 19 July “to keep officers safe”.

Chief constables say they have a duty to ‘keep their staff and officers safe’ amid criticism of government policy and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has written to all police officers saying that “existing infection control measures” for coronavirus should continue.

Find out more about COVID-19 in Sefton.

Peckish beach visitors to benefit from further food and drink outlet trials this summer

14 July 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News, Local Consultation
Image of a previous pop-up undertaken by B-Eat On The Street in Liverpool.
Image of a previous pop-up undertaken by B-Eat On The Street in Liverpool.

From this weekend (Saturday 17th July) visitors to Ainsdale beach will be able to taste-test fish and chips as well as coffee and cakes, as a pop-up food and drink trial begins.

North West based company, B-Eat On The Street, will be offering tasty treats out of two shipping containers located on the corner of Shore Road near the entrance to Ainsdale beach.

The new pop-up is part of a Sefton Council trial to provide more visitor facilities at busy coastal locations. It will run throughout the summer and until late autumn.

In other good news, The Bus Yard will be returning to Crosby Coastal Park later this summer to undertake a second trial following a successful run earlier in the year. This second helping will be served from Monday 9th August until Friday 3rd September.

View of the beach from the Bus Yard at Crosby
View of the beach from the Bus Yard at Crosby

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “These temporary pop-up food and drink offers at Crosby and Ainsdale, are in response to regular feedback from visitors and residents, who feel there are not enough hospitality facilities along our coastline.

“Our Green Sefton officers have organised these trials to explore ways to answer those calls and to offer the best possible experience for all beach users.

“They’ve worked really closely with the local businesses taking part, as well as understanding community concerns about any adverse effects, and from the positive feedback we received from the trial, it seems they’ve got it right.

“Now we’re hoping that the Ainsdale trial will receive a similar response and are urging people to submit their thoughts to the Green Sefton team.”

Feedback can be submitted by email to greensefton@sefton.gov.uk

Alexandra Richardson, B-Eat On The Street, said: “We’re very excited to have been given the opportunity to create a pop-up food offering for Ainsdale beach and we have commissioned two new container conversions. One selling fish and chips and the other is a dessert offering with coffee, crepes and fresh waffles.”

Sefton Council adopted a Coast Plan in 2017 and it recently set out its Coast Visioning Position Statement to bring together much of the hard-work already undertaken over the past four years.

It includes a summary of the Crosby Coastal Park public consultation outcomes and a positive outlook for on-going investment at Ainsdale-on-Sea where a public consultation is now underway. People have until the end of September to take part by going online to www.yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk 

The Statement also outlines the overall approach to managing the Sefton coast that balances the competing demands of People, Place (nature) and the Economy.

Cllr Moncur added: “If we get this balance right, Sefton’s beautiful coast can become an even greater asset to the Borough while maintaining its unique character.

“By supporting initiatives such as this, we can help create jobs and offer a boost to the local economy as well as enhancing our visitor attractions; really complementing our longer-term vision to get the right offer for everyone while protecting our special landscape.”

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