Your Sefton

Sefton Council is providing a few reminders for people planning on visiting Sefton’s glorious coastline.

Stretching for 22 miles the Sefton coast, which is also a protected haven for nature, attracts visitors from across the Borough, the City Region and the whole of England’s North West.

Travel Smart

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

Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby beach are all RNLI lifeguarded beaches with natural beauty and fantastic facilities.

And they are in easy walking distance from Merseyrail stations such as Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale, Hall Road, Blundellsands & Crosby and Waterloo.

You can plan your Merseyrail  journeys and find timetables and service updates here.

Those who do drive should plan ahead to avoid traffic delays and are reminded to park responsibly and considerately, away from residential areas.

Ainsdale and Southport Beach Parking

On-beach car parking will be available at Ainsdale-On-Sea and the car park will be open until 7pm.

The men’s, women’s, and disabled toilet facilities have now re-opened at Ainsdale for the summer season.

Accessible toilets are also available at Crosby Coastal Park.

Southport beach car park is currently remain closed due to poor sand condition.

Beach car parking charges for 2023 are:

• £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
• £35 season ticket for Sefton residents and those who drive an electric or hybrid vehicle
• £70 season ticket for non-Sefton residents

The car parks operate a cashless payment system as a preference.

You can buy your money-saving season ticket here.

Car parking for the beach at Formby is managed by the National Trust, who have lots of helpful tips for anyone planning a visit there, at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/formby

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.

Natterjack Toads, one of Sefton’s rarest native species, are emerging from hibernation, please keep dogs out of pools and flooded areas along our coastline

Fires, BBQs, balloon releases, and fireworks have a detrimental impact on Sefton’s wildlife and are not allowed anywhere at the coast. Failure to comply risks a Fixed Penalty Notice or prosecution.

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.

You can find out more about Sefton’s coast and its important role in protecting and nurturing UK wildlife here. 

Sefton Council’s improvement works at Rainbow Park in Melling, are nearing completion.

Work has been underway at the Park since early 2023 to deliver a new multi-use games area. With built-in goal ends and basketball hoops, the new area will provide a high-quality area for sports and exercise.

Landscaping and the creation of new pathways through the Park are also being delivered as part of the works. The improvements follow a lengthy consultation process with residents, through which every local household received a leaflet entailing the proposed plans.

Funding for both the multi-use games area and the new play equipment has been supported from S106 money agreed by Molyneux Ward Councillors Marion Atkinson, Paula Murphy and Danny Burns with allocated funding from Bellway Homes.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Rainbow Park is an important community space and we’re delighted to be delivering local residents with a new high-quality facility for exercise, sport and recreation. As well as additional pathways and landscaping.

“It’s great to see the works nearing completion in time for the summer mo

nths.”

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Molyneux Ward Councillor said: “It is brilliant to see the plans for the Park coming to fruition, and the support received from local residents throughout this process.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the local community, and I’m certain that the new multi-use games area will be very popular with locals of

 all ages.”

With works expected to be complete in the coming weeks, the Council will be arranging an official opening in May 2023.