Formby News

A: The project's main purpose is to revitalise the fragile sand dune ecosystem at Victoria Road beach entrance by removing unsightly, non-native rubble (the remains of old military barracks) that is blocking natural sand movement. This landmark conservation effort aims to create a thriving habitat for rare wildlife like natterjack toadsand sand lizards, while also ensuring a safer and more enjoyableexperience for visitors.

A: The Formby sand dune system is one of England's largest and fastest-changing coastal stretches, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and managed by the National Trust. Its uniqueness lies in its dynamic nature (constantly shifting sand), which creates habitats for rare species, including about 40% of the UK's natterjack toad population and the endangered sand lizard.

A: Construction began in winter 2024 and is expected to continue until approximately March 2026. During this period, the Victoria Road site will be significantly impacted to ensure safety and enable the work to be completed.

A: Natural sand movement is blocked primarily due to human impact and over-stabilisation. Old construction rubble and tobacco waste dumped in the Victoria Road area act as a barrier. Additionally, nutrient enrichment from the waste encourages dense growth of invasive scrub like sea buckthorn and Japanese rose, which fix the sand in place and crowd out native dune wildlife.

A: The Victoria Road beach access and car park will be closed for the duration of the work - from Winter 2024 to Spring 2026. (Estimated completion March 2026)

The Lifeboat Road car park will remain open, but spaces there will be limited. Signage will be posted on the by-pass and in the village. Visitors are BEING encouraged to consider nearby coastal alternatives while the Victoria Road site is closed. Recommended nearby beaches include Ainsdale, Southport, and Crosby, which all provide parking.

A: The Dynamic Dunescapes project aims to restore natural processes by creating space for sand to move freely. Key methods include:

• Creating Notches: Digging V-shaped gaps in the stabilized dunes to funnel wind-blown sand inland.
• Restoring 'Wet Slacks': Creating new breeding pools for the natterjack toad.
• Invasive Scrub Removal: Clearing species like sea buckthorn and Rosa rugosa to expose vital patches of bare sand for sand lizards and other rare species

A: To ensure a sustainable solution, the large amounts of removed rubble will be repurposed on-site. The material will be used to construct the foundations for a new car park located further inland, away from the dynamic dune system. This allows the dunes to move naturally while providing a more sustainable parking solution.

• Natterjack Toads need shallow, temporary, un-vegetated wet slacks (dune pools) for breeding, which are created by shifting sand.
• Sand Lizards require open patches of bare sand for basking, hunting, and burying their eggs, habitats which disappear when the dunes become covered in dense scrub. The restoration directly creates these essential conditions.