The Open at Royal Birkdale day two: travel and town-centre guide
The second championship day of The 154th Open takes place at Royal Birkdale on Friday, July 17, with visitors expected to put further pressure on roads, rail services and Southport town centre.
The Open is being staged at Royal Birkdale from Sunday, July 12, to Sunday, July 19. Championship play began on Thursday, July 16, after four practice days, and all four main championship days are sold out.
Travel and parking
There is no public parking at Royal Birkdale or on the surrounding roads. Spectators arriving by car should use the official Park & Ride sites and follow the black-and-yellow AA event signs rather than relying on their sat-navs.
Temporary traffic regulations and parking restrictions are in place around Birkdale and Hillside. The R&A is advising visitors to allow extra time and consider public transport, car sharing, walking or cycling.
Hillside is the nearest station to the course, around 300 metres — or roughly a four-minute walk — from the main public entrance. Merseyrail services are being enhanced, with trains to and from Hillside running every 10 minutes at peak times. Services are expected to be busier than usual.
Merseyrail has also warned of possible industrial action affecting Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19. A reduced 15-minute service is planned on the Southport line, with a break during the middle of the day. Visitors should check the latest timetable before travelling.
Southport welcomes visitors
Waterloo Road has been dressed with Open banners, while additional gateway displays are in place at the Plough Roundabout, Kew Roundabout and the Coastal Road–Liverpool Road junction. Further banners have been installed around Hillside station.
Southport Market is operating as an Open Visitor Hub during championship week, showing coverage on large screens alongside food, drink, events and local information. More than 70 local businesses are delivering special events, activities and promotions, while more than 50 volunteers have joined the Open Host Team to help visitors find their way around.
Sefton Council has increased cleansing, litter-picking and waste capacity along Waterloo Road, at transport locations and in other areas expected to see heavier footfall.
Residents travelling through Birkdale, Hillside or Southport on Friday should allow extra time and check the latest updates from Sefton Council, Merseyrail and local bus operators before setting off.
