National Trust and Sefton Council need to get their act together to sort the utter chaos in Formby

The absolute utter chaos today in Formby is a disgrace. A disgrace on the National Trust Formby behalf who need to help try and resolve the issue along with Sefton Council. They both need to pull their finger out once a for all and get this ridiculous issue sorted. Tomorrow will be worse than today with it being a Sunday and wall to wall sunshine expected again.

At around 3pm, the Police turned up to try and help the situation but not really to any extent due to the sheer volume of traffic on these usually quiet side roads.

Harington Road is in complete gridlock and has been most of the day. Freshfield Road is blocked, Larkhill Lane is blocked and almost every other road that is anywhere near the pinewoods has been in gridlock.

Police are trying now to block off Larkhill Lane and diverting cars down Greenloon’s drive.

There is a police van and police officers blocking off the top end of Wicks Lane where the back of Woodlands Primary School playground is.

A member of the public who lives on a side road near to the Formby Squirrel Reserve said: “This photo above was my drive the other day, people literally park where they want, double park, block in people’s driveways the lot. No exaggeration but even trying to drive out of our road to get the shop was bad, bumping up on the pavements because of the way people have parked. I don’t think I’ve seen it ever this bad ever! I am all for everyone enjoying the beach but it’s taking the p***, it was horrendous this morning full and I mean full of rubbish, them balloons the kids love, bottles of ale everywhere. Kids were still partying on the beach this morning at 7:30am.”

Another local resident said: “God forbid any of my neighbours in Holmwood Gardens need an ambulance or fire service as they wouldn’t be able to get down with all the cars looking for spaces to park. It’s as if COVID-19 does not exist.”

Cllr Nina Killen said: “Merseyside Police tell me they have confiscated huge numbers of BBQs and boxes of alcohol today at Formby beach. Roads have been closed for safety reasons and traffic diverted away. Parking has been terrible but traffic has been kept moving and roads not blocked.”

Cllr Nina Killen went on to say: ”Council refuse staff were out this morning and afternoon to empty the bins. Unfortunately there has been some unacceptable dumping of litter around the bins and on streets and driveways.”

“It was so disappointing to see people ignoring parking restrictions on Victoria Road, and nearby streets. These restrictions are in place for safety reasons, its not optional. Thankfully because the road into the National Trust car park was closed by police the traffic was being diverted and was not queuing or blocking the road. It's been very busy but the traffic has kept moving. The police tell me they have been giving out fines for obstruction. The council's enforcement officers have also been in attendance and have given out dozens of tickets for illegal parking.”

“Merseyside Police tell me they will commit significant numbers of officers to the Formby beach area tonight to disperse groups/parties.”

MP Bill Esterson said: “Thanks everyone who has contacted me again about #Formby, #Hightown and #Crosby beaches. Some of you have asked what I am doing. The answer is I am trying to get the authorities to help as much as possible and to persuade people to behave responsibly, keep their distance, avoid spreading the virus and to take rubbish home.”

“No, I am not a traffic warden or police officer or council official or National Trust staff member. But I try to influence them and I work with them and I have the utmost respect for them.”

“To those who say don't politicise this, I say this. My priority is to try to minimise the negative impact of the problems at our beaches and to minimise the risk of the virus being spread by people not being responsible. The problems at our beaches are mostly beyond politics. They are mostly the same each year. They are not helped by cuts in public services. That is a political issue of course. The problems are more difficult this year, much more this year. How the virus has been handled has been because of choices made. The difference in the way the crisis was handled in The UK and in England especially and how it was handled elsewhere is a matter of regret and it is a matter for a public enquiry at another time.”

“For today, my main concern is keeping people safe. So please take rubbish home. Make sure your friends and family do so too. Make sure that you all keep your distance from each other.”

“And if those who are responsible for the litter or are in the groups which are setting the wrong example through their behaviour, use your influence on them. Please do this to look after our beautiful natural environment all the time.”

“Please also do this right now to support those who can't go out, those who are in the shielding group, those who have underlying health conditions, our older and disabled residents.”

“This virus has not gone away. We still have 8,000 new infections and more deaths this week than last.”

“So thank you again to everyone who is being responsible. Please continue to do so. Please also use your influence to help keep everyone safe. Think of our essential workers and what they have sacrificed. Think of what we have all sacrificed. Please don't throw it away whatever you think of what those in authority have done. Just because a senior adviser to government broke the rules, doesn't mean we should all stop taking precautions.”

“This is very difficult. Please do what you can to help your family and everyone else.”

This is a photo of Larkhill Lane in Formby with lots of illegal parking.