Sefton Council’s beach closure – leaving our shore open to abuse!

Report by Pat Regan

‘Operation Beachsafe’ was implemented for very good reasons, yet only until September.

However, it now seems that at Ainsdale the situation has worsened once again, thanks to habitual Sefton Council stupidity.

This group were witnessed by numerous residents this weekend lighting a fire close to the entrance of Ainsdale beach.

Operation Beachsafe involved a number of partners who worked together to challenge issues including crime, anti-social behaviour, lighting fires, lighting barbecues, underage drinking as well as camping along the beaches, National Trust areas and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Purposefully started fires can easily get out of control resulting in ecological damage and wasted man-power for the emergency services.

Operation Beachsafe intended to keep residents and visitors safe from fires along the coastline and to protect wildlife from deliberate fires.

Station Manager Craig Whitfield, of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, said:  “People are urged not to light bonfires or barbecues on the beach, in the sand dunes or in woodland along the coast. We would also ask people to ensure they do not throw cigarette butts into grassland or woodland areas, as they can easily cause grass fires. Fires on grassland and woodland can spread easily causing a danger to people and to wildlife. We want people to enjoy their time on the coast this summer and to stay safe.”

Operation Beachsafe partners included,  Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Sefton Council, The National Trust, Sefton’s Coast and Countryside Rangers, RNLI lifeguards, British Transport Police and Natural England, along with councillors and parish councillors.

Pontins in Ainsdale

It looks like an extension period of this worthy effort is now required. This may however now be difficult seeing as the council have closed the beach.

Rubbish left on the sand dunes at Ainsdale

SEFTON COUNCIL WEBSITE STATES …

‘Ainsdale beach is closed to car parking due to high tides from 28 September to the end of the month, and will then be closed to car parking for the winter. It will reopen to car parking for the 2016 season.’

https://www.sefton.gov.uk/1345

Human faeces outside the controversial Pontins site

Sefton’s beach closure seems to be undoing much of the valuable efforts gained with Operation Beachsafe.

Is leaving our each open to such exploitation, as highlighted above, just council stupidity?

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