Traffic issues highlights the lack of planning and resources

LOTS more problems for local residents in #Formby over Bank Holiday yet again. This is becoming a common problem for those living and working along the Merseyside Coastline, as a result of extremely dangerous parking and heavy traffic.

Residents have been left fuming that no dedicated traffic enforcement officers from Sefton Council have been on hand within Formby or Freshfield.

After talking to local residents, we know that a few drivers were extremely rude and aggressive to locals over the weekend. Some even threatened residents who asked them to move so they could get cars off their dives. Some also got abusive when asking them to remove their cars from driveways, yet again.

Sefton Council have confirmed that over the Bank Holiday weekend more than 700 parking fines were issued across Sefton by the Council's Parking Enforcement Officers.

In a statement issued by Sefton Council said:- "Unfortunately, this weekend saw some visitors, who flock to Sefton from across the whole of the North West and beyond, park in this way. Inconsiderate and illegally parking on residential streets near to beaches along the Sefton Coastline can make pavements unusable and inaccessible for some. It could also prevent emergency vehicles such as:- Ambulances and Fire Engines from reaching incidents at the beaches themselves and in local people's homes."

Many residents in the affected areas say that the traffic issues resulted in exceptional traffic Jams, even on side roads. 1 resident said that she was stuck in traffic for 3 hours just trying to go to work and had to give up. Another said it resembled a scene from:- The Sorcerer's Apprentice, with more and more cars suddenly appearing in a never ending wave.

Merseyside Police have done an outstanding job helping to control a completely unprecedented situation. Police have only just stood down. Many of them have not had a chance to eat all day, and a few had no water or drinks for a long time, yet they continued to stand in the sun and help both visitors and locals.

This mess was not just down to the heat wave, but was a direct result of social media influencers recommending the area, National Trust Formby, and the Council over marketing the area. We know from talking to many of the day trippers who came to Formby had come after seeing adverts online. The vast majority had come from as far as Birmingham, with some from South London. Others had came from:- Manchester, Leeds, and even a few from Somerset, who wanted to visit:- "1 of the best beaches in the UK," as reported in many national newspapers over the last few years.

Sefton has been criticised for not putting in a 1-way system and not listening to residents who know the area. Both the National Trust and Sefton Council have also been criticised for not putting dedicated parking enforcement into place, nor having any plans to control traffic. This is becoming a regular issue every time it is hot. Residents say they welcome visitors, but do not welcome the litter and dangerous parking. Additionally, the increasing use of BBQs in the woods and on the sand dunes is a serious concern. Enforcement against this must take place; otherwise, a major incident is going to happen.

Formby is unique on the coastline in Merseyside, due to being cut in half by a railway crossing and extremely limited resource for tourists. This was also highlighted by the failure of the Eccles Crossing barriers. This left for a very long period, meant a complete stand still of all traffic, with only the railway bridge as the access and exit point. Also, this was compounded by Merseyrail having to put rail replacement busses on. This added to the chaos.

Some like Peter from Ainsdale, an area also affected by the tidal wave of cars and vans that descended onto the Merseyside Coast commented:- "Imagine living there and you want to nip to Tesco and get a few bits of shopping, or trying to get to work, nightmare!"

Also affected were locals who rely on carers and visits from nurses. Many of them didn't get seen too late at night, as they couldn't park or in most cases, they carers couldn't get to them on one of the hottest bank holidays in recent years.

A Doctor got blocked in and once the car blocking him in was moved he had 2 hours in a car, only to go a few hundred metres up the road, and had to phone in to a local Hospital to say he couldn't get in for his shift. Several local nurses, including 1 who was heading to Alderhay had to take the day off due to not being able to move. 1 resident parked near the Formby Bypass the night before and walked around 2 miles only to her car, only to find she was blocked in.

MelanIe comment on our social media posts:- "This kind of chaos is exactly why I never plan any outings on a Bank Holiday. Why would you put yourself or your family through it?"

Another comment on or Raymondo said:- "What a way to spend a bank holiday Soaring heat, stuck in a car, stuck in a traffic jam, and just think go through it all again to get home glad I’m not that stupid."

A lady who was going to teach children at a local dance class ended up cancelling her class after spending nearly 3 hours in traffic and as she said:- "making no progress." She couldn't get back and ended up having to park on a friend's driveway, the other side of Formby.

Chris from Birkdale added:- "If ever that was a message to Sefton Council about the overgrown mess that was Southport and Birkdale beaches then this is it. Once you could park right along the dunes between:- Birkdale and Ainsdale. Time to wake up and smell coffee Sefton."



A string of welfare incidents on the coast also highlighted the complexity of this problem, as did the fact that emergency services vehicles had to be escorted all the way down the roads by local residents just to let them get to incidents. This warning should also include the problems emergency services had reacting to a 15 year old girl, who had got into difficulties in the water and had to be airlifted to Alder Hey Hospital. These incidents meant part of the beach being closed as well.



Local residents also had issues with emergency services attending incidents. 



Dave Mc commented:- "My Dad just come out of #hospital today and if he needs to go back in later today these is no way an emergency vehicle can get through."

Offers of help from a local security firm that also handles traffic management have fallen on deaf ears, but local knowledge is key to helping overcome the issues, or at least minimising them. Often, as was the case last year, outside groups do not have the local knowledge to react quickly or direct people when issues like this happen.



We want to add, The Merseyside Police Officers who came to Formby did an amazing job and local residents are praising them.



Local resident Claire commented:- "All should be pre planned by the council to alleviate scenes of this nature. Well done to the local police teams who did an amazing job despite not having adequate water and food, or resources... x"



This situation is made worse by Formby's transport network, but Crosby Beach is also another problem location. A 16 year old arrested for assault on Crosby Beach and other incidents including several rescues took place.

 

Antonio said:- "I'm in Thornton and heard all the sirens before but no idea what is happening. Unfortunately, every heat wave seems to bring lots of trouble."



What are your thoughts about this issue all along the coastline. Please email us at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter. Please do let us know as we love to hear your views....