Green Sefton

Sefton’s environmentally protected coastline stretches for 22 miles and is a nature haven that offers something for everyone. If you’re thinking of heading to Sefton’s natural coast this weekend, there’s a few things you should know.

Travel smart

Those thinking about visiting one of Sefton’s coastal gateways are reminded to travel safely, thinking about ways to walk or cycle where they can.

People should plan ahead to avoid traffic delays and are reminded to park responsibly away from residential areas.

Beach parking is available at Ainsdale-On-Sea and the car park will be open until 7pm over the four-day Easter weekend. The men’s, women’s and disabled toilet facilities have now re-opened at Ainsdale after a recent refurbishment.

Please be aware Southport beach car park will be closed 15^th – 20^th April due to high tides.

Beach car parking charges for 2022:

• £8 per day for cars at Southport beach
• £10 per day for cars at Ainsdale beach
• £16 per day for horseboxes or minibuses
• 50% off the above rates after 4pm subject to car parking management arrangements
• £30 season ticket for Sefton residents and those who drive an electric or hybrid vehicle
• £60 season ticket for non-Sefton residents

Season tickets can be purchased online by visiting Beach Parking – Seasonal Contract Application (sefton.gov.uk)

Environmental sensitivity

Visitors are also reminded of the environmental sensitivities and how they can play their role in protecting the landscape by taking litter home and not lighting fires or BBQs anywhere at the coast.

Littering, fires and BBQs can have a detrimental impact on Sefton’s wildlife. Our natural coast is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna – from the famous Red Squirrels, to the rare Natterjack Toads and Sand Lizards.

The range of dune habitats and rare species found along Sefton’s coast are unique and protected as a site of special scientific interest.

Please do your bit to keep our natural coast clean and safe for all to enjoy.

Runnells Lane Park in Thornton is going to be being transformed with much needed improvements to its play and recreation facilities, as well as its paths and landscaping.

Contractors will be carrying out work to enhance the park for two and four-legged users on behalf of Sefton Council’s Green Sefton service.

Play area

A new children’s play area will be created, the existing multi-use games area will be refurbished, and new paths will be created around the edge of the site. New bins and benches will be installed, and trees are to be planted around the boundary of the park to improve the local environment and wildlife.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “This is the only public park in Thornton, and it provides an important community space. It’s fantastic to see improvements that will benefit people of all ages in the area in the pipeline.”

Funding has been secured by Manor Ward funding, the Council’s Green Sefton service in partnership with the Neighbourhoods Team though the Veolia Environmental Trust, who support community projects across the whole of England. A contribution of Section 106 Planning monies has also been allocated to the park improvements.

Views

A drop-in session at the park was held last year to provide residents and park users with the opportunity to see the improvement plans and share their views with the Council.

A final design that takes the views of the local community on board, has been agreed and after an extensive procurement process, Horticon is the successful company that has been chosen to deliver the project.

Sefton Council is seeking members of the community to help establish a Friends of Runnells Lane Park group who would undertake volunteer duties and support events and activities. Those interested can contact Green Sefton by email greensefton@sefton.gov.uk.

The work is scheduled to be completed and open to the public by the end of summer.

Find out more about Sefton’s parks and greenspaces.

Earlier this week, Sefton Council hosted an event to celebrate the official launch of the new driving range at Bootle Golf Course.

Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Clare Louise Carragher was joined by pupils from nearby Litherland Moss Primary and Litherland High School and the Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Ian Moncur, to help the new facility swing into action.

Since its opening at the end of January, the 10-bay Bootle Golf Course driving range has proven popular with local players and newcomers to the game. Last week 18,750 balls were sold and 36 under 16s took part in the recent half-term offer of a free bucket of balls.

Speaking at Monday’s event, the Mayor of Sefton, said:
“We proudly describe Sefton as the centre of England’s Golf Coast, and it is wonderful to see the Council continue to develop our sports offering and promote fit and healthy lifestyles.

“The new driving range will mean golfers, both new and experienced, in Sefton will be able to practise all year round.”

For many of the local pupils, Monday was an opportunity to try out the sport for the first time. There were smiles aplenty and air shots all round.

Cllr Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“As a Council, we have a firm commitment to investment in sports facilities for all of our residents.

“We are fortunate in our Borough to have a wide range of opportunities for golfers and now we hope the new driving range will provide many more people with a chance to try golf and take it up as a sport.

“A huge thank you to Green Sefton for their hard work in delivering and managing the fantastic new driving range facility.”

Sefton Council’s decision to build the new £420,000 floodlit driving range at Bootle Golf Course was backed by local people and course users during a consultation that took place in 2019.

Players can use its 10-bays to practise their swing between 8am and 9pm Sunday to Friday and from 8am to 7pm on Saturdays. Prices are just £6 for 100 balls or £4 for 50 and people can just turn up to the course shop, pay and play.

Adult prices to play a round at Bootle Golf Course start at just £9. Information about Sefton Council’s Bootle and Southport Links courses, including prices, can be found at www.sefton.gov.uk/golf.

People can also contact the Bootle Golf course office on 0151 928 1371 to book tee times.

At their meeting on Thursday 10th March, Sefton Council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the Council’s Green Sefton team to seek a commercial partner to invest in its Southport Golf Links course.

Improvements for the course itself and the on-site White House Café building are included in the plans.

At the time Cllr Moncur said an investment partnership would enable the Council to achieve its huge, long-term potential and deliver the kind of course on which local golfers have said they would like to play.