Southport and Ainsdale beach car parks close for six months after busy summer season

Beach car parks in Southport and Ainsdale have now closed for autumn and winter. 

The facilities will re-opened on 1st April 2023, with Sefton Council saying that for those who visit our coastline all year round, there are still plenty of ways to travel to the coast, by either foot, bike, or train.

The local authority’s Green Sefton Service has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors this year to Ainsdale, Southport and Crosby beaches.

The incredibly busy summer has seen Sefton Council’s coastal rangers managing beach car parks, emptying bins, litter picking, helping visitors and managing incidents alongside partners including the RNLI, HM Coastguard, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, and National Trust Formby. 

Volunteers from Southport Lifeboat have once again done a superb job in saving lives and keeping people safe.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Thank you to all the visitors who’ve been to our beaches over the summer and played their part in taking their rubbish home and keeping our beaches looking fantastic. And a big thank you to Green Sefton and all our partners and volunteers for all the work they’ve done over the summer months keeping our coast clean and safe, and so enjoyable for all our visitors.”

Mark Shaw, Green Sefton Service Manager, said:

“Thanks to all our visitors for coming down this summer, for being kind to our staff, for being kind to each other and we hope you’ve had a great time. We’ll look forward to seeing you next year.” 

Parking Information

Beach car parks along Sefton’s Natural Coast are now closed, marking the end of the busy summer season. Ainsdale and Southport beach car parking will remain closed until 1st April 2023.

For those who visit our coastline all year round, there are still plenty of ways to travel to the coast, by either foot, bike, or train.

Sefton’s beaches are in easy walking distance from Merseyrail stations such as Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale, Freshfield, Formby, Hall Road, Blundellsands & Crosby and Waterloo. People can plan their journeys and find timetables and service updates at www.merseyrail.org.

For those driving to our Natural Coast, there are many other pay and display car parks in the Southport area just a short walk away from the beach.

Crosby beach is backed by a promenade, from where you can view the Another Place ‘Iron Men’. There are several pay and display car parks adjacent or close to the promenade.

For those looking for another reason to visit the work of art, The Guardian newspaper has this week published an online article showcasing the Borough’s Sefton Coastal Path with a suggested walk route.

While car parking for the beach at Formby remains open all year round and is managed by the National Trust, who have lots of helpful tips you should read when planning your visit there. Have a look at their planning your visit page. 

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