A busy level crossing outside Freshfield station will be closed this week causing a lengthy diversion and traffic issues. Network Rail are conducting “improvement work” in the on the level crossing next to Freshfield station until 10pm on Friday 24th July. The crossing remains fully closed at all hours. Diverted vehicles are being rerouted through Formby town centre. The footbridge remains in operation, with a shuttle available for anyone who is unable to use it. Full PPE will be provided.
Author: James Cave
An annual ranking of seaside towns published by consumer choice company Which? has named Southport just the 73rd best seaside town in the UK. More than 3,700 respondents were asked to score towns on their beach, their seafront, food and drink, attractions, scenery, shopping, peace and quiet and value for money. Responses were then used to create an overall “town score”. Southport’s scores were as follows: Beach: 2 stars out of 5 Seafront: 4 stars out of 5 Food and drink: 3 stars out of 5 Attractions: 3 stars out of 5 Scenery Shopping: 3 stars out of 5 Peace…
A high street travel agent is being accused of abandoning holidaymakers left without a holiday or cash from the Coronavirus. Heartbroken holidaymakers who were left without their dream trip due to the Coronavirus are now battling to get their money back from the high street travel firm. One Southport man, who had booked a dream trip to Italy with his fiancé in May, was told despite his holiday being cancelled a month earlier, he would face an agonising wait for a refund. Now the furious would be holidaymaker says he and thousands of others have been abandoned by TUI who…
Sefton Council has today (17 July 2020) released plans outlining its ambitious vision for a brand new world-class theatre and conference centre on Southport waterfront. The new state-of-the-art venue would sit on the edge of Marine Lake and replace the current Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. The waterfront is a key area in the town and an important part of what makes Southport an all-year round destination for visitors, with its further potential as part of a comprehensive redevelopment also recognised. The plans for a new theatre and conference centre highlight Sefton Council’s commitment to investing in the future of…
Southport Pier is currently closed from the seafront gates, after a lorry driver misjudged the height of his vehicle, crashing into the structure. The pier remains open before the seafront gates. The seafront section of the pier can not reopen until the damage is reviewed by engineers. A statement from Southport Pier Pavilion said: “The pier is currently closed from the gates onward as Thursday morning a lorry driver “drove into” the pier off of marine drive. “The driver, caught on cctv, purposely slowed down and clearly knew that his vehicle was too high, yet still proceeded to force his…
Thursday’s NHS coronavirus update has confirmed there have now been 150 deaths caused by Covid-19 at Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust. There were no recorded deaths in the region from Covid-19 for the previous 3 days. A single death within the Trust has sadly pushed the total up to 150. The tragic figure includes Southport & Formby Hospital nurse Josephine Peter, who died in April after contracting the virus. Recorded deaths at Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust remain considerably lower than several other hospital providers in the region. Referring to figures for the entirety of England, a spokesperson said: “A…
A popular pizzeria in Southport is in danger of being closed for good. National chain Pizza Express is to close at least 75 of its restaurants as part of a rescue plan which could put more than a thousand jobs at risk. Parent company Hony Capital’s most recently published accounts from 2018 show £1.1bn worth of debt. Staff at the Lord Street Pizza Express restaurant will be hoping their store is kept off the list of target cuts. The closures would be made as part of an insolvency process called a company voluntary arrangement. The CVA would be used by…
Sefton Council are asking from ideas from residents on how to improve access for cyclists and pedestrians as part of their Sefton Liveable Streets initiative. Respondents can tag a location on a map of Sefton with comments on how to improve the area. To submit your views visit: https://seftonliveablestreets.commonplace.is/?fbclid=IwAR3h8p-EDqz08KFyJh2VHSurpTrPs_6yhqauidr08xwPM6XMcjUjQhFQFVQ Residents can also email: transport.planning@sefton.gov.uk
Parents across Southport are calling on Sefton Council to reopen to the town’s playgrounds. Playgrounds were shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic but Government guidelines stated that facilities could reopen from July 4th. One parent told OTS News: “I’ve witnessed parents having to climb over fences and lift their children over too, probably because they’ve told the children they’re open and don’t want to upset them any more than they already are.” “There are parks open all over the place in other councils, so their current excuses for not opening don’t really wash.” Asked about the current situation regarding playgrounds,…
The government is set to confirm that face coverings are to become mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24th July. But Environment Secretary George Eustice told Sky News the new rules would not apply to pubs and restaurants. As of yesterday (Monday 13th July) there were no recorded Covid-19 deaths at any Merseyside hospital for 2 days. There have been 149 recorded Covid-19 deaths in Southport and Ormskirk hospitals. Anyone caught without a facemask in a shop or supermarket will be required to pay a £100 fine, dropping to £50 if paid within 14 days. Children under the age of…
Councillor Sean Halsall has written to Southport MP Damien Moore, calling on him to oppose plans to scrap free licence fees for over 75s. Cllr Halsall, who represents Kew ward, says many Southport constituents “will be worse off due to this callous policy.” Free TV Licences for all over 75s will come to an end in August 2020. Anyone over 75 but receiving Pension Credit can continue receiving a free licence. Age UK said it was “bitterly disappointed with the BBC’s decision”, but added, “In reality the principal responsibility lies with the government.” Cllr Halsall’s letter reads: “I’m writing to…
Queenscourt Hospice’s charity shop reopens today (Tuesday 14 July). Queenscourt Hospice said: Tomorrow will see the reopening of our retail shop in Chapel Street, Southport, and we cannot wait to welcome customers old and new! You can be assured of a warm and Covid-safe welcome when you visit the store, which is reopening after a period in lockdown. Although we will not be accepting donations at our Chapel Street shop, the Queenscourt Retail Team have put all the appropriate measures in place to ensure the safety of our shoppers, including adequately quarantining all donations before they are put out for…
Mighty Radio are planning to launch a sister station in Leeds. Station manager Paul Tasker told Radio Today: “Leeds is a great city and we want to be able to talk about everything that happens in Leeds. “Bringing the latest news, travel and events that come to the town. We want to deliver local content from Leeds and have local personalities and content, not content that just comes from Manchester or London like the national stations offer. “It’s exciting for Mighty Radio Leeds and fingers crossed we get on the DAB platform.” Trevor Ford, Managing Director added: “We’re so proud…
A Southport man has been charged with a string of burglaries and thefts after allegedly ransacking two homes and a garden outhouse in the resort. 56-year-old Stuart Spicer of Bath Street has been charged by officers following his arrest over three weeks ago. Detectives have charged Spicer with burglaries of two homes and one shed in Southport, as well as one count of theft from a town centre shop in April during the lockdown. Police have also identified Spicer as the man they were after following a theft from a car which took place in May, while a charge of possession…
Freshfields Animal Rescue have confirmed that a dog who was attacked by his owner with an axe in 2017 has found a new home. In a press statement, Freshfields said: “We are delighted to bring you the fantastic news that Neo, one of 2 dogs brutally attacked by his owner in 2017, has finally found a wonderful home! “Many of you will have followed Neo’s journey from the beginning, and will remember the horrific injuries he sustained at the hands of his owner, who attacked Neo and his brother Santos with an axe. “Neo came to Freshfields with his brother…
Officers in Southport have arrested two men and seized drugs and cash following an incident yesterday, Sunday 12 July. At around 4.50pm, officers sighted a vehicle of interest on Lord Street and requested the vehicle stopped. The driver stopped but a second occupant ran off towards Houghton Street. He was pursued and detained. The driver was also detained. Following searches, more than 150 wraps of suspected heroin and crack cocaine were seized. A 36-year-old man and a 29-year-old man, both of no fixed abode, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, and taken to a police…
Police were called to an incident in Formby on Sunday night where a motor vehicle had collided with and injured a beautiful deer. The incident happened on Liverpool Road. Police transferred the deer to MediVet on Eaton Road, Liverpool where he’s being cared for by staff.
Emergency services are currently on scene of a serious incident near to Southport beach. Dozens of families watched on in horror as a car careered off the mini roundabout near to KFC shortly after 3.30pm this afternoon before crashing into stationary cars at the drive thru at the KFC. The road has now been closed while investigations continue. Fire, police and paramedics were called instantly to the scene following the crash with the cause of the accident as yet unconfirmed. The car which swerved off the roundabout collided head on with cars full of hungry families awaiting their fast food.…
Burglars have ransacked a home in Kew overnight, including a room where the elderly home-owner lay asleep. The incident took place on Cheltenham Way in Kew on Saturday night. The thieves reportedly: “went through every draw in every room – including the bedroom – whilst the elderly occupant was asleep.” A family friend warned: “Make sure your doors and windows are properly secured.” It is believed that CCTV captured images of two thieves and the vehicle used to attend the break-in. Police have been informed and an investigation is now underway. Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101.
Gas works on the junction of Lulworth Road and Weld Road are causing long queues and delays for motorists. The work is being carried out by Cadent Gas and will continue until 17th July. 63 metres of gas pipe is being replaced. Multiway traffic signals are in place during the works.
After a rollercoaster few months, the hottest attraction in Southport is finally back open after Pleasureland welcomed back families for the first time since lockdown. Hundreds of families were delighted to return today as Pleasureland boss Norman Wallis and his team saw months of hard work pay off as rides started, drinks poured and water flumes flowed. Owner Norman Wallis faced a tough challenge to bring the park up to new social distancing standards but with brand new sanitising stations, a rigorous ride-cleaning schedule and more, Pleasureland can claim a stake to being the safest attraction centre in the North…
Police have arrived on the scene of a two-car smash near to Southport town centre this evening. Two cars, an Audi and a Mini Cooper, struck each other at the junction of Albert Road and Park Road shortly before 6pm this evening. It’s understood the Mini struck the front end of the Audi saloon before spinning out of control and narrowly avoided hitting the wall of a nearby care home. The airbags within the Mini deployed upon impact. Officers rushed to the scene where both drivers gave witness statements. A minor diversion has been put in place while officers and…
A cancer survivor from Southport wants his fellow Sandgrounders to join the virtual Race For Life from Home event to raise vital funds for a cancer charity Dad of two Ant Bigley, a 46-year-old testicular cancer survivor, is living proof of why research into the fatal disease is so important. In 2008, while working as a police detention officer, he noticed a swelling in his testicle and developed symptoms of overwhelming tiredness. One day the pain got so bad that he was rushed from work to hospital in a squad car and was diagnosed with testicular cancer weeks later. Ant…
https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2020/july/if-youre-going-out-in-sefton-this-weekend-do-the-right-thing-and-follow-public-health-guidelines/ Merseyside Police is continuing to workside alongside local authorities, the NHS, local businesses and licensed premises to ensure the safety of visitors to Sefton, and the staff, who have been able to come back to work and offer some sense of normality as the lockdown slowly eases. This weekend we’re expecting to see a change in the weather and some sunshine and we know that recently good weather has increased the number of people coming out to enjoy parks and open spaces, and in Sefton we have seen large gatherings of people on the beaches, which has made it…
Richard Waite, 38, from Old Swan, Merseyside has been fined after stealing £50 worth of goods from Marks and Spencer on Chapel Street. Waite was arrested on Wednesday 8th July. He received a £100 fine and has to pay £85 court costs, plus £90 to pay to victim services. Waite has also been issued with a community order not to enter any Marks and Spencer stores in England and Wales for 12 months.
After weeks spent in their homes during lockdown, people are discovering the benefits of buying a brand new house. Local housebuilder Jones Homes has seen sustained interest in the new homes at its Roseacre Gardens and Hesketh Reach developments in Rufford, as well as its St Peter’s Park development in Mawdesley, and is expecting this to continue as lockdown restrictions ease. Sales Director Carol Barlow says that spending so much time at home has given people the chance to see what works – and what doesn’t – in their existing home and to plan a move somewhere to suit their…
Arrests in the last few days by the North Sefton Local Policing Team in Southport: A 38 year old man was arrested for shop theft in the town centre, following one of our town centre PCSO’s being made aware of the theft via the Town Link radio. A 30 year old man was arrested on Wednesday 8th July on suspicion of concern in the supply of class ‘A’ drugs. Another man found in possession of a small amount of drugs were dealt by Community Resolution. Two men have now been arrested for theft from motor vehicle after wing mirrors were…
Beauty salons, tanning shops and tattooists can reopen in Southport from Monday, the government has confirmed. Fitness buffs must wait a little longer however for gyms and indoor swimming pools to open, with them only allowed to let customers return later this month. Outdoor arts performances – such as music sets at the Band Stand – will also be able to resume from this weekend, although audience numbers will be restricted and will be subject to social distancing rules. Club cricket can also resume from this Saturday, with a limited number of spectators allowed and clubhouse bars will be able…
Pleasureland boss Norman Wallis says the government’s VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism industry “doesn’t go far enough”. Pleasureland reopens this Saturday for the first time since closure at the end of the 2019 season in October. But Wallis says the government could be doing more to help businesses in the industry. In a press statement Wallis said: “We have been lobbying government for years to redress the issue of unrecoverable VAT within our industry. It is impossible to add VAT to rides, our whole business model is built on pricing that is easy to understand and manage. Adding…
Essential works on the Coastal Road in Southport are continuing to help improve access for both cyclists and pedestrians. The works are part of the Southport East West Cycle Link improvement scheme thanks to funding from the Liverpool City Region and primarily compromises of the widening of cycle track between Weld Road roundabout and the bridge at Pinfold Lane. Contractors are carrying the work out in stages to ensure minimal disruption to traffic and the road will be reopened in sections, beginning with the Shore Road to Pinfold Lane in mid July. Works to the northern section of the Coastal…