Labour candidate calls for National Trust parking issue to be addressed

Labour Council candidate Carol Richards met with representatives of the National Trust to discuss ways to improve access and enjoyment of the site by local residents and visitors.

The Labour Harington ward candidate for May's Sefton Council elections discussed car parking, wildlife and boosting the local economy at a meeting for key stakeholders where community feedback to a recent consultation was discussed.

Mrs Richards said open access to the site and reducing traffic congestion remained a priority.

She said: "Every summer the beach and Pinewoods appear to get busier and busier which is great news for visitors as they enjoy our fantastic coast here in Formby but it can be a nuisance for local residents in terms of the traffic and parking.

"The National Trust told me they understood the pressures and said that the Victoria Road car park was under intense strain due to coastal erosion and that Lifeboat Road car park was adequate in size on very busy days.

"The area that the National Trust have recently acquired from Sefton Council, accessed via St Luke's Church Road, has SSI status so they are reluctant to encourage more traffic that way, and there are also access issues to that area regarding a right of way for vehicles over the privately owned section of St Luke's Church Road. So parking remains an unresolved issue and further meetings will be necessary to address this.

"I raised the possibility of a visitor centre in Formby village to increase footfall between the two sites, improved public transport between the train stations and the beach in order to encourage people to leave their cars at home, and also using local businesses at the site to sell food and drink, boosting the local economy and providing more facilities for visitors.

"In these days of austerity families are increasingly looking at cheap days out and we are lucky to have this facility on our doorstep. However the impact on the area of visitors must be thoughtfully managed."

Carol can be contacted on 07940220118