The beach car park at Ainsdale Beach has reopened today for the 2022 summer season.
Regular visitors who drive to Ainsdale Beach should remember that with the opening of the beach car park, parking restrictions apply once again on Shore Road before the beach entrance from 1st April 2022 to 30th September 2022.
The Southport Beach car park will open next Tuesday (April 5th).
Opening times for both beach car parks are 8.30am – 4.30pm.
Beach car park tickets are now available to people living in Sefton for £30 per year – half of the £60 charged to non-residents.
Season tickets are now available to buy online at https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/beachparking
The 50% discount also applies to drivers with electric or hybrid vehicles.
A £2 reduction to the standard day visitor rate will mean parking on Southport beach will cost £8 per day, while the daily cost at Ainsdale beach will remain at £10. Prices are halved after 4pm subject to available space and the cost for horseboxes or minibuses at both sites is £16 per day.
Ainsdale, which has 2,000 spaces and Southport, which has 400, are among just a handful of on beach car parks across the UK. Unsurprisingly they are closed at some high tides and there may be limited capacity at other times.
The implementation of a new ‘off beach’ car park at Ainsdale Beach is set to be operational by the end of 2022, subject to final planning approval.
Toilet facilities at Ainsdale-On-Sea are currently undergoing refurbishment work to prepare them for reopening from 1st April as the beach car park reopens. The men’s, women’s and disabled people’s toilet facilities will be reopened.
People are being asked to treat the coast with respect during their visits.
A Green Sefton spokesperson said: “In recent years, with lockdowns and travel restrictions having an influence, the coast has become more popular than ever and it is not unusual to meet people who travel here for the day from as far away as Warwickshire, Yorkshire and even Glasgow.
“Once you are on the beach or have ventured onto our protected natural coast, which is made up of a chain of internationally important nature reserves, it is vital that everyone, whether local or visitor, respects the sites.
“This means all dog fouling should be picked up, bagged and left in the nearest bin. Failure to do so can result in a fixed penalty notice or fine.
“BBQs, fires and camping are not allowed.
“It is crucial that visitors do not disturb wildlife or habitats – one of the main reasons this marvellous place is so attractive is because it is protected by law.
“Please respect that – do not disturb resting, feeding or breeding birds (nesting season has begun now) and keep dogs out of all flooded areas and pools (whether fenced or not) in the dunes.
“If you can’t see your dog, you do not have it under control.
“Please take all your litter home with you – if bins are full (with thousands of visitors each day at the height of summer it is a full -time job for the team to empty them) do not leave rubbish beside them.
“If you brought it to the coast, you can take it home with you!
“Respect, protect and enjoy Sefton’s natural coast.”
Beach car parking charges for 2022:
- £8 per day for cars at Southport beach
- £10 per day for cars at Ainsdale beach
- £16 per day for horseboxes or minibuses
- 50% off the above rates after 4pm subject to car parking management arrangements
- £30 season ticket for Sefton residents and those who drive an electric or hybrid vehicle
- £60 season ticket for non-Sefton residents
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