Conservation efforts are underway at Formby to restore rare sand dune habitats. Expect major disruptions and please avoid travelling to us by car on sunny days.
The Victoria Road car park will be closed from 1 May 2025 to spring 2026, with no access to the toilets or beach in the work site area.
This conservation project is part of our long term commitment to look after this very special part of the Sefton Coast and promises significant benefits for both people and wildlife. The project involves removing the existing beach car park and tonnes of associated construction rubble. Most of the unsightly rubble is being processed on-site and repurposed to create the sub-base for a replacement, similar sized and more sustainable car park further inland.
To keep everyone safe large metal fencing will be going up around the work site area, which starts at the junction of Victoria Road and Badgers Rake, continuing along the car park out on to the beach. Some noise is expected from the heavy machinery working on site. There will be no parking, toilets, bins or visitor access to the beach through the work site area at Victoria Road from 1 May 2025 until spring 2026.
Our Lifeboat Road car park and toilets will remain open, but parking is extremely limited. To avoid being turned away, people are advised against driving to Formby on busy, sunny days this summer. Visitors should consider travelling by train to Formby station or choosing alternative beaches and car parks along the Sefton and Wirral Coast.
“Formby is part of one of the fastest-moving coastlines in the UK. Areas of naturally shifting sand create special habitats for rare sand dune wildlife, including natterjack toads and sand lizards. Sand dunes can also act as a natural sea defence if they’re given the space to shift over time. The old construction rubble is creating a barrier and stopping natural sand movement. This project will help us restore Formby’s sand dunes to their natural state and re-connect important habitats, creating space for wildlife to thrive”
The project aims to solve the long-standing problem of the huge amounts of rubble that is spilling out on to the beach. The rubble is all that remains of the old Harington Barracks, which were demolished after the Second World War. The demolition rubble was used to form the foundations of the current beach car park. Natural processes that create Formby’s fast-shifting shoreline mean that each year more rubble is being exposed. The rubble is disconnecting wildlife habitats and restricting visitor access to the beach.
Relocating the car park not only solves the rubble issue but will also help ensure there is space for people to park and enjoy Formby for years to come. The vision is to create healthier habitats where rare dune wildlife can thrive and a safer, more natural space for visitors to enjoy.
"We understand people will be disappointed to miss out on a trip to Formby this summer, but everyone’s support and understanding is greatly appreciated as we work to enhance this special space for wildlife and people.”
We're continuing to collaborate with partners along the Sefton Coast to manage the increased challenges busy days will bring during the project this summer. A visitor management plan has been agreed including diversion route signs for cars and people walking to the beach. Our website and social media will be regularly updated with frequent reminders about the car park closure and impact on people’s plans to visit.
You can register to get updates on this project sent direct to your email inbox. Sign up here.
The dune restoration element of this project is part of a wider programme of conservation work happening at National Trust Formby through the UK-wide Dynamic Dunescapes project funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and EU LIFE Programme, which is based on the pioneering idea that dunes which move and change shape are better for nature than those which are stable. The National Trust is funding the remainder of this conservation project, thanks to the support of National Trust members and visitors.
We care for over 780 miles of coastline, which is under ever-increasing threat due to climate change. Help protect the coastal landscapes you love, and the wildlife that call it home, so everyone can enjoy the coast.
Restoring sand dunes across England and Wales for the benefit of people, communities and wildlife.
Find out more about the work involved in this project, the impact on your plans to visit and answers to frequently asked questions.
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