What to remember if you're heading to the coast

While Sefton is not due to be the hottest corner of the country this weekend, hot and sunny weather is expected over the next few days.  

A yellow heat health warning has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency for the North West. 

The Sefton coastline is always a popular destination on these days, both for residents and people visiting from elsewhere. So here are some very important things we’d like you to keep in mind when planning your visit. 

Being prepared 

Temperatures are due to be in the mid-to-high 20s for at least the next week, with lots of sunshine. Even if it feels cooler on the coast due to the breeze, the same risks remain. 

Be sure to have plenty of water and sunscreen. Beaches are fully exposed to the sunlight, so it’s recommended that people regularly seek shade or shelter. 

Suitable coverings are advised, as are caps or wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. 

More information on how to beat the heat is available through the government website. 

Parking on the coast 

Parking is available at coastal locations, but it is limited – especially on busy days. 

The National Trust advises that parking spaces at its Formby site fill up extremely quickly on busy days and to plan accordingly. More information is available on the National Trust website. 

There are several car parks are in operation near the coast in Crosby, with in-land options often having plenty of available space. Visit www.sefton.gov.uk/find-parking to find places to park, along with opening times and prices. 

On-beach parking is available at Ainsdale, but this can also fill up quickly on very busy days. Where possible, please bring the £10 all-day parking fee in cash to speed up entry. You can pay with your card or device, but network connectivity issues on the coast can affect payment devices and slow down transactions from time to time. 

Please only park in car parks or legal parking spots. Illegal parking will not be tolerated and can pose access issues for people, staff or emergency services attempting to get to the beach. 

We would prefer not to see people receiving fines, which will happen if there is illegal parking, so please bear this in mind! 

To avoid traffic and parking considerations, consider taking the train (there is a Merseyrail stop at all coastal towns), riding the bus or cycling down to the coast instead. 

Beach safety 

While beaches are largely clear, it is advised to keep on footwear such as water shoes or flip flops. 

The tide can bring in sharp debris, while jellyfish and weever fish can cause serious pain if you stand on one. 

Speaking of the tide, it is very important to always be mindful of the tide line. While the sea may appear far out at one point in the day, it can come in quickly. 

Lifeguards are in place on all beaches through the summer. You are advised to stay within sight of the lifeguard station and not to stray too far out to sea. Don’t get too far from where others are, so that support is available more quickly if it’s needed. 

Water safety 

Swimming in any open water carries risks. Going into the sea on a lifeguard-monitored beach is safer than swimming in other open-water locations, but it is still important to understand the risks. 

Enter the water slowly and carefully to avoid cold water shock and ensure that the level of water you are in matches your swimming ability. The sea has strong currents, and the safest option generally is to stay at a wading depth. 

If you get into trouble, use the RNLI’s ‘Float To Live’ guidance. You can find that, plus further information on water safety, at www.sefton.gov.uk/water-safety. 

Who to call 

In the event of an emergency, call 999. 

If it’s in the water, ask for the Coastguard. Do not enter the water to try and rescue the person in trouble and instead encourage them to float and wait for help. 

If there is a fire, ask for Merseyside Fire and Rescue. 

If there is another serious incident, ask for the police. 

You can call Merseyside Police on 101 if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour. 

Respect others 

While you may be visiting the coast for the only time this year, residents who live in coastal towns and villages are there all year round. 

They deserve to see their homes and streets treated with respect. You can do that by parking legally and not taking up residential spaces, keeping the streets clean and acting courteously. 

Anti-social behaviour is not tolerated and can be reported via www.sefton.gov.uk/asb. 

Please do not litter and use one of the bins provided. Sefton Council staff work hard to empty the bins multiple times in a day, but they may be full at times if it’s busy. 

If there isn’t available space in the bin, take the rubbish with you. If you had space to bring it with you, you have space to take it to a bin! 

We ask that no barbecues or fires are set on any beach. Fires spread fast, and there have been numerous fires started by something as simple as a glass bottle or cigarette that have grown out of control. This causes significant damage to Sefton’s protected dune system, including the rare plants and animals that live there. 

Would you like to learn more about Sefton’s beaches? 

Simply visit www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches to find out more.