MP Bill Esterson has called on Sefton Council to take action “now” to ease the traffic and parking chaos around Formby’s National Trust sites.
Days of above average temperatures combined with the school holiday period resulted in thousands of visitors descending on the town for visits to the beaches at the two sites managed by the National Trust this week.
There are just a few hundred car park spaces at the two sites at Lifeboat Road and Victoria Road, and the Victoria Road car park in particular is often full before noon on hot days, leading to long delays on Victoria Road, Larkhill Lane and Harington Road as traffic queues to enter.
Residents find that their roads and driveways are blocked as visitors park their cars at the roadside and across dropped kerbs. Queuing traffic means residents can be trapped in their homes, or are unable to return to them due to standing traffic.
The Sefton Central MP has written to Sefton Council chief executive Dwayne Johnson to ask that better signage on the bypass, Brooms Cross Road and the motorway network be installed “as a minimum”.
The MP wrote: “A number of constituents have written to me and called my office this week regarding parking and traffic issues around the National Trust site.
“This week has seen above average temperatures and, combined with the school holiday period, thousands of visitors have travelled to the National Trust site in Formby.
“I welcome visitors to the area, but the needs of local residents must also be accommodated.
“I find it unacceptable that many of my constituents become trapped in their homes as a result of standing traffic on Victoria Road, Harington Road and Larkhill Lane, once the National Trust car park at Victoria Road becomes full, as it does from very early in the day in hot weather.
“A task group was set up last year to look at these issues. However as I understand it no firm plans have been agreed as yet with regard to how these issues are going to be addressed.
“It seems to me that better signage on the motorways, on Brooms Cross Road and on the Formby Bypass would be a minimum. Please can you address this straight away given the scale and immediate nature of the problem.
“I would be grateful if you could outline what measures are being taken to address these issues and confirm a timeline for their implementation.”
The MP posted the letter on his Facebook page with the message: “Sefton Council has been promising action on traffic and visitor numbers to Formby Beach since last summer. This week’s chaos highlights just how much action is needed. Residents have been really feeling the pressure and the council and Highways England between them need to find an answer. It’s simply not good enough to go on as we are. Here’s a copy of my letter to Sefton Council Chief Executive, Dwayne Johnson. Action now please!!”
OTS News on Social Media