The latest row in an ongoing clash over the state of Southport beach has seen local politicians trade blows over safety fears.
Ward Councillors have said the once famous golden sands are still there but require people to journey across unattractive and boggy mud flats to reach it, claiming the council should put together some form of plan to make the remaining beach accessible.
However senior cabinet officials within Sefton Council have hit back at these comments saying councillors have are being irresponsible, claiming their stance could potentially encourage people to take risks and journey through dangerous coastal mud.
Cllr John Pugh is pushing the council to save the beach.
He said: “Sefton Council may have given up on Southport beach and the pier, but councillor Mike Sammon and I think that’s a mistake.
“At the end of the pier, there’s a wonderful beach with huge potential and a few intrepid visitors. It’s fair trek for Mike, but there’s lots of sand, lots and lots of sand. Real sand.
“This is where our beach has gone and the sea. We really are a seaside resort.
“We need a proper strategy for this fantastic asset.
“When you go back, there’s mud, it’s not nice, and no access to and from the pier facilities, toilets or anything like that. Does Sefton care? I wonder?”
However the council’s senior public health politician has hit back saying that those kind of comments could lead to people being put at risk.
Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We would like to remind people that Southport beach, as with any beach, anywhere, should be enjoyed with caution.
“Southport and Sefton as a whole have a range of beautiful ‘resort beaches’ that people can visit easily and safely, so we would not recommend the completely irresponsible advice to visit areas which they would have to ‘wade through nasty, slippery mud’ to reach.
“Sefton Council and its partners, the RNLI, know only too well the risks people face from soft mud and changing tides.
“So we would encourage people to enjoy Sefton’s beautiful beaches, but only those where they can do so safely. After a great day on the beach, Southport is the ideal seaside town in which to end your day out.”
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