With a sunny Bank Holiday weekend approaching, Sefton Council is encouraging people visiting its beaches to leave the car at home and take public transport instead.

Merseyrail train stations are all within walking or cycling distance to Southport, Ainsdale, and Crosby beaches. People can plan their journey at www.merseyrail.org/journey-planning

Those people who do drive to the Sefton coast are being urged to park considerately and legally or face a fine.

During a previous sunny weekend, around 300 Penalty Charges were issued to motorists who had parked irresponsibly at the seafront.

Dangerous parking causing hazards

Dangerous or inconsiderate parking can make access difficult for vital emergency services and cause a delay in response times. Any parking in contravention of restrictions will face a Penalty Charge Notice.

Inconsiderate parking can also create hazards for pedestrians and cyclists and make routes inaccessible. Pavement parking, double parking, parking at a dropped kerb or in the way of a cycle lane can make it difficult or impossible to get past, especially for more vulnerable pedestrians like those with disabilities or with prams who are less likely to be able to squeeze through small gaps, and forces people onto the road.

Paying unpaid parking notices

Sefton Council reminds people that the Council will not make contact though text messages to request payment for unpaid parking notices. Please check carefully before paying a parking charge, that can be paid through Sefton Council’s website, or by phone or post.

Councillor Phil Hart, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said:

“We love our beautiful coastline and know it is particularly popular on warm and sunny weekends and bank holidays. We want visitors to the coast to have a great day out on our beaches and encourage them to use public transport to visit.

“We also want to make sure that local residents and other beach-goers are not put at risk or inconvenienced by dangerous or inconsiderate parking.

“Fines are given to make sure we are keeping everyone safe, especially our more vulnerable residents and visitors. Our enforcement officers will be out there this bank holiday weekend to ensure that motorists are parking responsibly.”