Green Sefton

After weeks of sunny weather, thunderstorms are now predicted to sweep across the region and Sefton Council are reminding residents of how to check the flood risk in their area and other ways to protect themselves and their properties.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for the storms expected late on Wednesday and through to Thursday night, with the potential for travel disruption and flooding.

Sefton Council is monitoring forecasts to put necessary measures in place if required. While it is not anticipating widespread issues, its flood officers are calling upon communities to sign up for the latest flood alerts, to check any potential risk in their area and to ensure they are prepared should the rainfall result in instances of flooding.

Cllr John Fairclough, Deputy Leader of Sefton Council and Chair of the Sefton Flood Resilience Strategic Group, said: “Flood risk is a serious issue for residents across the Borough and something that our officers are dedicated to finding both short and long-term solutions for through everything from routine maintenance of gullies to seeking out investment for coastal defences. As part of their roles it’s also incredibly important for them to raise awareness and educate communities about how they have a role to play in flood prevention and preparedness.

“Thankfully the forecast for thunderstorms this week doesn’t look like it will have the same impact as we saw at the start of this year when a major incident was declared in Maghull. It does however remind us that no matter what time of year it is, we can face extreme weather events and we want to ensure our communities are equipped with the information they need to be prepared for such instances.”

Steps that people can take not only while the weather alerts are in place, but to manage flood risk all year round and to be prepared for a flooding event, are:

• Finding out your own risk of flooding before a flood happens. Floods can happen anywhere, and it is important to remember you don’t need to live by water to be at risk of flooding. Visit the government’s flood warning information service online or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
• If you are in an at-risk area sign up for flood warning messages from the Environment Agency’s Floodline online or by calling: 0345 988 1188.
• Make a personal Flood Plan for what you will do if there is a flood at your home. Resources can be found at The Flood Hub.
• The Council does not have a duty to provide sand bags to protect homes or businesses. Have your own stock of sandbags – these can be bought from builders’ merchants or DIY shops.

Cllr Fairclough added: “We continue to work with our key partners including the Environment Agency and United Utilities, to manage flood risk across Sefton. We’ve already met a number of times this year under our new working group and I am confident that this collaborative approach is already resulting in positive outcomes that will benefit all of our communities.”

Anyone concerned about flooding can find further advice on flood risk and what to do to protect their property on the Flood Hub website or Sefton Council website.

Residents can report flooding on a public highway or any blocked road gullies on the Sefton Council website using an online reporting form.

Should anyone end up with flood water in their property, they should report this to flooding@sefton.gov.uk with any photos to accompany the report. 

Reporting incidents will ensure that the Council can understand the extent and location of properties affected by incidents of flooding and allow officers to work with other flood risk management authorities to help reduce the risks and consequences of future flooding.

After a fortnight of fabulous sunshine and with the good weather set to continue this weekend, the Council’s Green Sefton team are urging beach goers to respect Sefton’s beaches and to take litter home.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “As restrictions now allow more people to meet up outdoors, we’ve seen an influx of visitors across our coastal gateways at Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby, with National Trust partners at Formby also experiencing extremely high visitor numbers.

“Sadly, it has resulted in an increase of litter at our beauty spots. Our message is simple – if you brought it to the beach with you, then you can take it home with you.

“People also need to continue to be vigilant and adhere to Covid-19 measures so that our coast remains a safe place for everyone to spend time. At busy times people might like to look at visiting other outdoors spaces and attractions across Sefton.”

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton Service Manager, said: “Our Rangers are prioritising litter clearance and bin emptying – they are constantly doing this throughout their shifts and providing visitors with free bags for their rubbish – but more visitors means more rubbish. People should think ahead and be prepared to take it home with them.

“I do want to say a huge thank you to the continued efforts of our local volunteers who are going out in their own time and clearing up after the minority of beach users who flagrantly disregard their responsibility to look after the environment around them.

“We have brought in large skips that we would ask people to dispose of their rubbish in when small bins reach capacity. Leaving bags next to smaller bins might seem like the right thing to do, but unfortunately it can attract seagulls and pests and result in the mess being spread around again.”

A range of measures have been put in place at the coast by Sefton Council under its Visitor Action Plan to manage concerns as restrictions ease further allowing more people to enjoy the outdoors again:

• Both Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks are now open 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 is providing quick, easy and safe access;
• Variable traffic signs continue to 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 is being targeted at the areas where concerns persist – keeping clear access for emergency vehicles is also essential;
• Additional Green Sefton Rangers are assisting with car park management, beach cleaning and providing assistance to visitors;
• Portable loos are located at Crosby and Ainsdale beaches once again – with increased maintenance owing to the high volume of visitors;
• Skips are again positioned at coastal locations to ensure litter can be disposed of, but visitors are reminded to take their rubbish home with them;
• Rangers are providing free rubbish sacks to visitors during peak periods;
• Volunteer ‘beach ambassadors’ are also 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.

Anyone planning a visit to the Sefton coast should visit www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches to find out about travel options and facilities at its beaches and to read its Visitor Action Plan for 2021.

Sefton Council continues to work with the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership that brings together organisations who want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents along the 22-mile coastline. Members include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others.

Work to install four refurbished ramps at Southport’s skatepark is now complete and the much-loved community asset back open.

Specialist skate ramp builders used their expertise to repair and refurbish the structures which needed extensive works to replace the specially shaped boards and plates.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “I’m thrilled that the skate park is now back up and running. I’m sure both the established skating community and those looking to try out the sport for the first time will be excited to test the ramps and make the most of the lighter evenings now that summer has arrived.

“Our Green Sefton team has set up a rolling maintenance programme with the ramp specialists, who carried out the improvement works, to ensure that the park remains in top condition for people to practice their tricks.

“We’re also really excited about showcasing the refurbished park later this summer as we hope to host a special skateboard ‘jam’ event that could attract competitors from across the country, really putting Southport on the map for it’s great skateboarding facilities.”

The skatepark opened in 2003 and has undergone inevitable wear and tear repair works every few years as part of Green Sefton’s regular maintenance of the facility.

Sefton Council and its army of volunteers, are once again, backing Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean campaign.

Running from Friday 28^th May to Sunday 13^th June, this year’s Great British Spring Clean calls on the public to help the charity achieve a million miles of litter-picking. 

Throughout the pandemic it has become evident how we have all relied on the local greenspaces and countryside, parks and beaches as somewhere to escape to, to exercise and to play.

Now, Sefton Council has pledged its support for Keep Britain Tidy’s annual campaign and is asking residents and visitors across the Borough to do their bit.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Litter continues to be an issue along our coast, in our parks and green spaces. Each year Green Sefton officers spend around 5,700 hours clearing litter and emptying bins across the Borough’s parks and spaces that they manage totalling 2,340 tonnes.

“That’s the equivalent weight of around 3,600 of Antony Gormley’s cast iron Crosby Beach statues. And it is also the Council’s time and resources that could otherwise be used to enhance our surroundings, facilities and services across the Borough.

“It’s really encouraging to see national initiatives like the Great British Spring Clean highlighting just how important it is for local authorities and community groups to undertake this work, but it’s also a timely reminder that each and every person using Sefton’s outdoor spaces should be disposing of all of their litter correctly.

“This means using bins where they are provided but also being prepared to take litter home after a day out if bins are full.”

This year’s campaign comes as the charity has reported a massive increase in the number of people who have started litter-picking during the various lockdowns. It has seen the number of ‘litter heroes’ grow by a third in less than 12 months.

Sefton already has many incredibly active and dedicated volunteer groups who support their local beauty spots by keeping them clean and tidy. Over the fortnight of Great British Spring Clean activity, Green Sefton officers will be supporting additional volunteer-focused activities across its parks and beaches.

Cllr Moncur added: “The whole Green Sefton team would like to extend a huge thank you to our dedicated volunteer groups who spend their own time helping to clear up their local outdoor spaces, setting a real example for how our communities have a role to play in keeping our Borough looking great – so that we can all enjoy our time spent outdoors.

“It’s timely that it’s also Volunteers’ Week, where across Sefton we’re celebrating the spirt of our communities who’ve done so much, especially over the past year, giving up their time to help others. A massive thank you to every single volunteer who supports Green Sefton!”

The Great British Spring Clean, now in its sixth year, brings together individuals, community organisations, businesses and councils to make a difference to the environment on our doorstep. In 2019, more than half a million people collected just under a million bags of litter, weighing around 4,308 tonnes.

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: “The Great British Spring Clean would not be possible without the support of local authorities, including Sefton Council.

“We have all spent a lot more time in our local area in the past year and have come to realise just how important our local park or green space is for our mental and physical health.

“We need to care for these spaces and the Great British Spring Clean is an opportunity for everyone to take a small action that, collectively, can make a big difference.

“Whether you commit to do five minutes or five hours, every single pledge will help us reach our million-mile target and clear many tonnes of litter pollution from our environment.”

People can pledge to get involved by visiting www.keepbritaintidy.org/gbspringclean

Anyone who would like to volunteer for a litter picking activity, might have an interest in joining a ‘Friends of…’ park group or would like to spend more time at the coast as a Beach Ambassador should get in touch.

To find out more, people can contact the Green Sefton team directly by email at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk