Formby Councillors work to tackle summertime traffic problem which leads to town gridlock

Formby's three Labour Councillors are working with Sefton Council and Merseyside Police to find a solution to the summertime problem of Formby's congested roads.

Every time the sun shines, Formby's roads become congested with sun seekers en route to the beach.

Formby Labour Councillors Nina Killen, Catie Page and Peter Maguire have been inundated with complaints from residents about grid-locked roads and illegally parked cars.

The three Labour Councillors are meeting with Sefton Council chiefs and Formby Neighbourhood Police officers to look into ways to alleviate the problems.

Cllr Killen said: "Traffic is a real problem in Formby during sunny summer days as people obviously flock to enjoy our coastline.

 

"We have the issue of so many cars on our roads causing gridlock, as well as vehicles being parked illegally and irresponsibly.

"This problem has gotten worse each year as day trippers visiting the beach and nature reserve have decided to park outside of the National Trust car park or when the car park becomes full. 

 

"People complain about the problem year in, year out, but as yet, there has been nothing effectively done to tackle the issue.

 

"Cllrs Page and Maguire and I are looking into just what can be done."

 

Cllr Page said residents had contacted the Formby Labour Action Team with suggestions on how to improve the traffic problem during warm days.

 

Cllr Page said: "People have come forward with suggestions for improving the flow of traffic on our roads during the good weather as people come to Formby to enjoy our community.

 

"Living in Formby, we've seen this problem worsen, but we are now looking into some suggestions which could ease the pressure on our roads.

 

"These suggestions include improved signage for visitors, increased parking restrictions in areas worst affected and the introduction of a traffic management system.

 

"We will be putting all of these suggestions to Sefton Council and the police. But what is introduced needs to be to the benefit of the whole of Formby instead of just moving the problem from one location to another.

 

"And while we would like to see any measures introduced which could help resolve the problem, Sefton has obviously been hit harder than most local authorities in terms of Tory-Lib Dem government cuts which has seen the local authority have to make more than £80m worth of savings over the last two years.

 

"So money is tight, but the Labour Councillors in Formby are working on a solution to this problem."

 

Cllr Maguire said the problem is so bad on many roads in Formby, people are turning to parking their cars on grass verges and even on private property as well as officially designated areas of scientific interest..

 

Cllr Maguire said: "Cars parking illegally and on private property are clearly not acceptable. Roads congested with cars nose to tail at a standstill is clearly a problem which needs to be resolved. Motorists irresponsibly damaging Formby's wildlife is something which needs to be stopped.

 

"While we want this issue tackling, there is obviously no easy fix. So if people want to make any more suggestions, please let us know by emailing formbylabour@gmail.com."

 

* Councillors are organising a public meeting to discuss the issue. Times, dates and venues are yet to be finalised.