Parish Councillor Says Emergency Access Warnings Were Raised Four Years Before Formby Beach Tragedy

A Formby Parish Councillor has written to the Senior Coroner following the inquest into the tragic death of 15-year-old Chiedza Nyanjowa, arguing that concerns about parking congestion and emergency vehicle access at Formby Point have been repeatedly raised for years.

In a detailed letter sent to Her Honour Elizabeth Wheeler, Senior Coroner for Sefton, Knowsley and St Helens, Councillor Dave Irving said the problems associated with illegal parking and blocked access routes have been known about for almost a decade and were formally raised with Sefton Council more than four years before the incident at Formby Beach.

The letter follows the recent inquest into Chiedza’s death, during which the Coroner criticised selfish and illegal parking that delayed emergency vehicles attempting to reach the beach. While the Coroner concluded there was no evidence that it the delays directly contributed to Chiedza’s death, Councillor Irving believes the wider history of the issue deserves further attention.

15-year-old Chiedza Nyanjowa

Expressing his condolences to Chiedza’s family and friends, Councillor Irving stated that residents have repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by severe congestion around Formby Point during busy periods, with roads often becoming blocked by vehicles parked on verges, junctions, yellow lines and other restricted areas.

As evidence, he attached a motion he submitted to Sefton Council in April 2021, seconded by Councillor Bob McCann, which specifically warned that roads in the area had become so congested that emergency vehicles could be prevented from getting through.

The motion stated: “It has got that bad that roads have been completely blocked with parked cars which cannot allow emergency vehicles to pass.”

The proposal called for Sefton Council to seek powers allowing illegally parked vehicles causing obstructions to be removed, arguing that existing parking restrictions were failing to deal with increasing visitor numbers to Formby’s coastline.

According to Councillor Irving, despite the concerns being formally raised, no vehicle removal scheme was introduced.

In his letter, he also questioned whether enough consideration has been given to the impact of recent housing developments in Formby, including approximately 1,500 new homes completed or approved across the area, and whether developer contributions could be used to help address traffic management and emergency access issues.

He further highlighted concerns raised during a planning application for 23 homes near Lifeboat Road, where objections were made regarding the narrow road network and the potential impact on emergency access to Formby Point.

Councillor Irving also pointed to a major golf tournament at Formby Golf Club, where highly visible “Tow-Away in Operation” signs were used to discourage inappropriate parking. He suggested similar measures could be considered during peak visitor periods at Formby Point.

The letter asks the Coroner to consider whether the long history of complaints, council motions, planning concerns and warnings regarding emergency access have been fully examined, and whether additional measures may now be needed to improve safety and ensure emergency vehicles can reach the coast without delay.

Councillor Irving stressed that his intention was not to challenge the findings of the inquest, but to ensure the longstanding nature of the problem is properly understood and that every possible step is taken to prevent a future tragedy.

The issue of parking congestion around Formby Point has long been a topic of debate among residents, particularly during warm weather, bank holidays and peak visitor periods when thousands of people travel to the coast.

What are your thoughts? Do you believe more should be done to protect emergency access routes around Formby Point?