Enjoy our beaches safely this summer - joint plea for visitors to be respectful at Sefton's coast

A number of organisations across Sefton are joining forces once again this summer to ensure local communities, and visitors from across the North West, can enjoy Sefton's coastlines safely as Coronavirus restrictions ease further.

The joint action also aims to encourage people to take personal responsibility at the coast. Asking them to plan how they are going to get to the beach, to take all litter home with them and to show respect and kindness to staff, the environment and fellow visitors.

It also sets out the boundaries of what is and isn't acceptable at the coast to keep everyone safe. Such as that fires and BBQs are not allowed anywhere; that there are water safety risks at the coast so people should follow the advice of Lifeguards; and that anti social behaviour simply isn't acceptable.

The agencies who make up the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership are making the joint plea and will be sharing important messages covering many of the issues faced on the Sefton coast throughout the School Summer Holidays.

Members of the partnership include:- Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and other key partners like Merseyrail.

Already this year there has been a huge influx of visitors to local beaches during fine weather and out of school term times. It is anticipated that with people still planning staycations this year, many will be looking to enjoy spending time at the Sefton coast.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:- "1st and foremost, the Sefton Coast is an internationally protected nature reserve and we need your help to keep it that way. So, when people are planning their day trips this summer, we need them to be well prepared and to play their own vital role in ensuring that the coast remains a great place to enjoy spending time. Please listen to what we are collectively saying with our partners, be that important water safety information, fire risk concerns, travel advice or environmental issues around litter and wildlife."

While outdoor spaces are safer for people to spend time and interact with others this summer, the easing of restrictions should still be met with continued caution as Sefton's Public Health lead outlined last week.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council's Director of Public Health said:- "Covid19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue after Monday, 19 July 2021, but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality."

Meanwhile the Council's Green Sefton team and its partners have important messages for all beach visitors this summer season.

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council's Green Sefton Service Manager, said:- "We are ready and well prepared to welcome people back to our beaches safely again this summer, but we ask in return that they behave responsibly and with consideration to each other, local residents, our staff and our beautiful environment. Joining forces once more with fellow land owners and emergency services means that we are doing our bit to keep everyone safe and create a positive atmosphere for those choosing to come to our beaches. But our visitors themselves really are the other key players in this partnership."

Sefton Community Police Superintendent Graeme Robson said:- "This summer, Officers will be on foot, in vehicles and on quad bikes across the Sefton coastline and at local beauty spots. We know we're lucky to have this on our doorstep and we want everyone to be able to enjoy it. Anyone acting antisocially or drinking alcohol at our beaches will be dealt with by Police in a robust manner. Please plan visits carefully and give attention when parking by considering local residents. It's also vital that we protect the local environment by not starting fires and by taking any litter home with us."

Amy Peacock, Property Operations Manager at National Trust Formby, said:- "This summer we're here to welcome people who love to visit Formby, whilst caring for all the wonderful wildlife at this special nature haven. On busy days our car parks can fill up quickly. We close our car parks to visitors once they are full to help us make sure that Formby is a safe environment for everyone who visits us. We recommend that visitors to Formby beat the queues and travel by train, or perhaps plan their visit for a quieter day. We're open 7 days a week all year round. Together we can create an enjoyable experience for everyone and protect precious wildlife by being mindful of nature and the people around us."

Dave Mercer, Senior Reserve Manager for Natural England, said:- "The Sefton coast is an amazing place to visit and one of the most important areas in the country for wildlife; it is home to many rare plants and insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and many species of birds. Please bear this in mind when you visit this summer and follow the countryside code by keeping dogs under control, taking litter home and refraining from lighting fires and BBQs. If you can visit on foot, by bike or train to reduce the number of cars, especially in hot weather, that will be a great help as will following advice from the emergency services and site staff who are here to help you safely enjoy the beach, dunes and pinewoods and if you are lucky, see some of the wildlife that lives here."

Michael Buratti, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard, said:- "Even though the weather is warming up, please take extra care before taking a plunge in the sea as it can still be chilly and bring on cold water shock. It also pays to check the wind, weather and tides before setting out and observe local safety advice such as avoiding soft patches of mud on the beach, ensuring dogs are on leads, going to a lifeguarded beach where possible and carrying a fully charged mobile phone, so you're able to call:- 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if anyone is in trouble."

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead in the North West, said:- "Our advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach where possible and to swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards offer advice on how to stay safe and help anyone who gets into trouble. Whether you're at a lifeguarded beach or not, look out for safety signage and seek advice on safe places to swim, always keep your children under supervision and avoid swimming alone where possible. Coastal areas provide a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and open space, but they can be an unpredictable environment, particularly during early summer when air temperatures start warming up, but water temperatures remain very cold, increasing the risk of cold water shock."

Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said:- "During the summer months we see a large influx of passengers travelling on our network to beauty spots such as Formby beach and we do all that we can to keep passengers safe including running 6 car trains wherever possible. By working with our partners in the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership we want to ensure that everyone visiting the coast can enjoy it safely and responsibly. This includes being respectful of passengers and staff while travelling. So please listen to our staff who will issue advice where needed and be on hand to deal with any concerns you have, ensuring you have a wonderful day out."

The continued work of the partnership will also be communicated through the Council's My Sefton website, Sefton Council's Facebook Page and on Instagram Sefton_Council.
 

THE UK's Met Office has issued its 1st ever Amber Extreme Heat Warning as large areas of the UK will continue to see hot conditions this week. The Extreme Heat Warning, which is issued with partners including:- public health partners across the UK, will cover a large part of Wales, all of Southwest England and parts of Southern and Central England. The Amber Warning will be in force until the end of Thursday.

Met Office Chief Operational Meteorologist Steven Ramsdale said:- "The high temperatures are going to continue through a large part of this week. Many areas will continue to reach heatwave thresholds, but the Amber Extreme Heat Warning focusses on Western areas, where the most unusually high temperatures are likely to persist. There's a continuing risk of isolated thundery downpours late in the afternoons, but most areas will stay dry until later in the week. Temperatures should begin to fall for most areas heading into the weekend, with some more unsettled conditions looking to develop."

The Extreme Heat Warning coincides with an extension to Public Health England's Heat Health Alert through to Thursday, reflecting the risks to the health sector in England.
 

PEOPLE are being urged to check in on vulnerable and older family, friends and neighbours who are most at risk as the country is put on high alert for a heatwave and restrictions are eased, Councils say today. The Met Office has issued its first ever extreme heat warning today after already raising a Level 3 alert for parts of England until Thursday morning, spurring social and healthcare services into action to support high risk groups, such as older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions. The Local Government Association, which represents Councils in England, said people should think carefully before travelling to beaches, parks and other public places and to get in the habit of checking they are safe to visit, following our reaching of step 4 of the Government's roadmap. The LGA said Councils have adapted their heatwave plans in keeping with COVID-19 advice and that social workers, community wardens and maintenance staff will be on high alert, identifying and looking out for those who might be struggling. They are also urging people to call their local Council if they believe anyone needing help is being missed out. Older people and those suffering from heart and respiratory problems are most at risk.

Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "No 1 is immune to the power of the sun. Hot weather advice might seem common sense but effective action, taken early, can reduce the health impacts of exposure to excessive heat. Looking around at how our older neighbours are coping takes no effort, but could be crucial in making sure they are also able to make the best of the summer. People will understandably want to enjoy the sunshine. However, with rising Covid19 case numbers there is inevitably a risk when large numbers of people head to the coast and tourist spots, which could lead to a rise in infection rates and local outbreaks despite the successful vaccination rollout. Lives depend on all of us taking personal responsibility for our actions to avoid a resurgence while safely enjoying the summer and easing of restrictions."

Hot weather tips:-

► Look out for others, especially older people, young children and babies and those with underlying health conditions.

► Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.

► Drink plenty of water and take water with you, if you are travelling.

► Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals.

► Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.

► Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have to go out in the heat.

► Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day.

► Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes.
 

GIVEN the disappointment of Christmas 2020, it is important to make up for lost time and make Christmas 2021 better than ever. However, The Entertainer, the UK's largest family owned retailer has urged shoppers to shop earlier this year to avoid disappointment of not getting the perfect toys for your little ones. The Founder and Executive Chairman of The Entertainer, Gary Grant said:- "There are lots of brands that we're excited about for Christmas 2021, including:- PAW Patrol, following the movie this summer, and Coco Melon, Super Mario, L.O.L. Surprise!, Barbie and Bluey! The shipping crisis in China is causing uncertainty as to what will be available and when. So above all, we urge our customers to shop early for Christmas this year to avoid disappointment."