A Southport councillor calls for rusting eyesore to be removed from popular shopping area

A Southport councillor calls for rusting eyesore to be removed from popular shopping area.

A campaigning councillor is leading calls for a rusting eyesore to be removed from a busy Southport shopping area.

Cllr David Barton said that the large turquoise container in the car park at Tulketh Street which had been used historically for the car parking attendants there previously was having a negative effect on attempts to promote the area to shoppers.

He has now called on Sefton council’s highways department to move the eyesore, which he said may be contravening building regulations.

Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward, said: “This issue was raised with me by several business owners, residents and visitors who said this eyesore was putting people off using this shopping area.

“This large turquoise container would appear to be forward of the building line and as it is plumbed in underneath to the main drains, it must be considered a permanent structure, subject to building regulations, and it could even contravene them.”

Cllr Barton, who is a leading campaigner for the regeneration and restoration of Southport, said the highways department had told him that the container was still being used by council workers and was “operational”.

He is appealing for anyone who may be affected by the eyesore to come forward and relay their feedback so that the matter may be appropriately dealt with and resolved as soon as possible.

He said: “This would benefit footfall for the surrounding shops and free up a further car space, therefore generating more income for Sefton Council.

“This has been an issue since 2014 and I believe the removal of this container would greatly support the retail sector here.

“It is important that we continue to support our local small businesses as much as possible, especially the retail sector which has been found time and again to be the key source of our seaside town’s footfall and overall spend within the local economy.

“If anyone else would like to put forward their views please either contact myself or the Highways Department at Sefton Council as we are keen to resolve this matter.”

Cllr Barton holds his monthly surgery from 2-3pm the Atkinson Arts Centre Lord Street Southport on the third Saturday of the month.