Qlocal has discovered that the Ainsdale Discovery Centre located at the end of Ainsdale Promenade behind Pontins is to be used as a Polling Station in the upcoming May elections.Possibly the most remote location in Ainsdale.



Walking from the nearest house and back is just less than one mile.



Anyone who chooses to walk would have to cross the Coastal Road with fast moving traffic and then down the badly illuminated and pot holed Ainsdale Promenade hardly easy if you are old or infirm.



The sun sets at 20.49 on 5th May.

If its wet and windy on the day not many people are going to battle the elements to go and vote.



Cllr Terry Jones, has spoken with the council to register residents concerns over the change in venue. he told Qlocal " I was informed that Shoreside school is no longer available and other possibilities are not available for 2016 elections. The discovery centre was the only possibility at present". I will meet with officers immediately after elections to discuss more suitable venues moving forward as this is not really good enough"

"it will be a concern to some residents so we need to look what is best for them, and by working with the council we will do so"

Jamie Halsall said " I would urge all those that are concerned on attending this temporary polling station to apply for a postal vote,

The last time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 19 April 2016 and for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 26 April 2016.

The last time to register to vote is Monday 18 April 2016 (up to midnight) and this can be done quickly online atwww.gov.uk/register-to-vote The Bar code below links to that site and please feel free to copy it and use it. People registering to vote will need there NI number as part of the application.

All absent vote applications can be found on www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or on request from Sefton council by calling 0345 140 0845 (you can call 0151 934 2037) or to electors@sefton.gov.uk

Qlocal has discovered

You mean Qlocal read the thread on the same subject on it's own forum.

Originally Posted by Ralphy Rylance

You mean Qlocal read the thread on the same subject on it's own forum.

.................and 'borrowed' the (my) image from that thread :-)

There are millions of people around the world who would love to have the right to vote. There are millions of others who travel miles simply to put their cross on a ballot slip. Shut up moaning and think yourself lucky.

There's be complaints if a school had to shut for the day to be used as a polling station

Originally Posted by BrigNowPort

There's be complaints if a school had to shut for the day to be used as a polling station

Schools don't have to close when they are used as a polling station, they simply have to ensure that the voters cannot access areas where children are present. This is easily done when most doors in schools are lockable and when, as is the case with Shoreside, you have more classrooms than classes, some directly accessible from outside.

Setting aside Shoreside's decision, there are to my knowledge 6 churches in Ainsdale, could none of them open their doors to help residents? The church on Station Road (I can never remember if it's the Methodist or United Reformed) is far more accessible for residents in the Chatsworth Road area than the beach is!

Postal votes all round in this house from now on.

There is no way that this venue is suitable! Why can't the Ainsdale village Church hall be used? The discovery centre is far too remote!

Originally Posted by twiggy1

There is no way that this venue is suitable! Why can't the Ainsdale village Church hall be used? The discovery centre is far too remote!

Perhaps somebody should come round to your place and hold the ballot paper in front of you while you're sat in your armchair having a cuppa and watching the telly. Don't want you being inconvenienced now do we!

Originally Posted by Ralphy Rylance

You mean Qlocal read the thread on the same subject on it's own forum.

You presumably mean "..on its own forum"?

Originally Posted by abbeyroad

Perhaps somebody should come round to your place and hold the ballot paper in front of you while you're sat in your armchair having a cuppa and watching the telly. Don't want you being inconvenienced now do we!

There is a considerable difference between being "inconvenienced" and having the mickey taken.

I don't know how large the area the ward covers but it does seem to me, even as a resident of the northern area of the town, to be quite inappropriate for use as a polling station in view of its remoteness.