Traffic queues build on Southport Coast Road as golf fans head for The Open
Long queues formed along Southport’s Coast Road and Marine Drive on Wednesday morning, 15 July, as golf fans travelled to the Park and Ride site beside Adventure Coast.
The journey from Weld Road to Ocean Plaza was reported to be taking around 25 minutes.
The disruption came on the final practice day of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The championship’s four competitive rounds begin on Thursday, 16 July, and run until Sunday, 19 July.
The R&A has warned that traffic volumes will be higher than normal throughout Open week. There is no public car parking at Royal Birkdale or in the immediate area, so spectators arriving by car are directed to official Park and Ride sites.
Wednesday’s gates opened at 7am, with the first buses leaving the Park and Ride sites at 6.45am. On the first championship day, Thursday, gates are due to open at 6am and the first Park and Ride services at 5.45am.
Drivers heading towards the event are advised to follow the official signs rather than satellite-navigation directions and to allow extra time for their journey.
