Lifeboat fears over mud limiting access to beach

LIFEBOAT crews are worried about access to the sea in Southport and claim the problem is getting worse, according to one local councillor.

- By ELLIOT JESSETT ECHO Correspondent

They are concerned about the increasing amounts of mud on Southport beach, making it harder for the town's independent lifeboat to reach the water in an emergency.

The lifeboat station is situated on Marine Drive, just a few yards from the beach.

Cllr John Pugh described a visit to the station, where he was told the route to the sea had become increasingly difficult.

He said: “There's a massive amount of mud and it’s very difficult to even get the sort of vehicles they've got out quickly enough in the case of an emergency”

Cllr Pugh believes there are available solutions and suggested the possible use of wood or stone to construct a passageway to the sea, adding: “Even a few seconds delay in an emergency can be crucial when lives are at risk.”