Liberal Democrat councillors Sue McGuire and Tony Dawson are asking Sefton
Council to apply to the Coastal Communities Fund for money to renovate the
Marine Lake Railings.

The Fund has recently received a boost of £90 million which can be used for
project to regenerate seaside towns.

Cambridge Ward Councillor Sue McGuire Leader of The Liberal Democrat Group
explained:

"Everyone agrees that the railings on the Marine Lake are in an appalling
state and really let Southport down. So, I've asked Margaret Carney if we
can apply for a grant from this fund to renovate them.

We have to move quickly as there will be many other demands on this fund."

Town centre councillor Tony Dawson agrees:

"We've been told that cuts to Sefton Council's central budget mean there
is no spare money available to do this work so we have had to look to
alternate funding sources. There are some 'Section 106' funds available
from Planning applications to spend in central areas of town but there are
many other projects which this could be spent on and it would be great if
we could get the government to pay to bring the Marine Lake railings up to
scratch."

When you consider the amount of council tax we all pay in Southport and the amount collected from parking charges by Sefton Council, you would think they would spend more of it improving the town centre, at a minimum. Southport used to be well cared for, now it just looks very run down with countless empty shops along Lord Street too - helped by the high parking charges. Yes, the Marine Lake and Kings Gardens has finally been improved, but there is plenty more that needs to be done. I agree about the railings needing to be done - I have commented on how these have been left to rust and not maintained - resulting in more work and cost being involved when they finally do sort them out.