Trek to beach to vote in Ainsdale is cancelled – for now

Trek to beach to vote in Ainsdale is cancelled – for now

Ainsdale voters will not now have to trek through the dunes to vote in the May local elections. But they may still have to do so in June.

When Shoreside School notified Sefton Council that they didn’t want their buildings to be used as a polling station in this May’s local elections, the elections department decided that the Discovery Centre at the Ainsdale Lido was the only option available. Over 1000 Ainsdale voters were informed last week that they would be voting here, some thinking it was an April Fools joke.

Ainsdale Ward Lib Dem chair Lynne Thompson says:

“Some of the voters would have to come from Chesterfield Road and even Hillsview Road. This is almost a mile and half from the Discovery Centre, involving crossing a railway line and a busy coastal road.

” Much of the route is poorly-lit and exposed to the elements. It can be beautiful in Ainsdale in early May. There can also sometimes be driving sideways rain or hail which would make it impossible for an elderly person to vote on foot.”

“I am delighted that the representations which we and others have made have been listened to and the vote will take place at Shoreside School once more. But there is still the issue of the European Referendum on June 23rd.

“John Pugh MP and Cllr Haydn Preece are both working hard to find an alternative polling station for that day as the Head Teacher of Shoreside does not presently want to make the school available again. A Disabled-accesible Portakabin on the grass outside Shoreside School would be a possibility but this apparently costs £1000 for the day.”

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