A council team has said the area is facing a ‘major issue’
Cllr Dave Antrobus next to a piece of scorched grass in Otterspool Park(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
There are fears a famous Liverpool park is being neglected as residents and councillors face a ‘new and major issue’. Many Scousers will have enjoyed a stroll along Otterspool Promenade and its amazing views of the River Mersey this week as temperatures hit 20C.
The adjacent Otterspool Park also contains secluded woodland and a skate park. However, with better temperatures over the last few days, concerns have been raised about families driving into the park and leaving scorch marks on the grass with their barbecues.
Liverpool City Council has urged people to use barbecues responsibly and also warned that anyone who drives into the park itself could be prosecuted.
In a Facebook post on a public group on Wednesday, April 2, one angry local posted pictures of cars parked up on the grass and said: “I went down to the Prom this evening to clear the notice boards and was greeted with this scene! Large open fires and cars all over the park!”
The issue was raised with Liberal Democrat councillor Dave Antrobus who lives in Aigburth and represents the ward of the same name. While he didn’t see this himself, he feels the park is being forgotten about.
He told the ECHO: “I didn’t see it on that occasion but obviously the issue is here with the very nice weather. The issue of cars is something new. If somebody sees other people doing that, they’ll think it’s fine to do that.
“In the bigger picture, the real issue is the number of cars coming here and where they can go. The council is aware of it. They’re talking about halving up the land to reduce the number of cars (installing more blocks across the grassed areas).
“My big thing is that Otterspool Park is neglected. It plays second fiddle to the promenade. The good thing with the half marathon route is that more people saw the park themselves.”
Cllr Dave Antrobus is unhappy with the state of the park(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Cllr Antrobus received a response from the council’s City Watch team which said: “Otterspool Promenade and Park continues to be a major issue in relation to vehicle misuse and we will continue to explore any target hardening measures with parks.”
Mystery also surrounds an abandoned café in the park. The building has stood derelict for decades, with the outside overrun with graffiti and flaking paint.
It was opened in 1931 on the site of Otterspool House, home to John Moss. Moss was a Victorian banker, slave owner and chairman of the Liverpool and Manchester railway in the 1800s. The house was demolished in 1931 and the park opened a year later.
Chris Iles, 57, is originally from nearby Garston and now lives in Aigburth remembers when it used to be a bustling café. He said: “I remember going there with me, my mum and my dad, and just getting an ice cream at the counter. It was a nice little place to go.”
Complaints about the state of the cafe began to arise in 1990, with one ECHO reader at the time saying in May of that year that the building was “falling to bits”.
It’s not clear when the cafe closed nor who is responsible for it. The council told the ECHO last year that it was looking into the matter. Chris fears what could happen to the café the longer it stays abandoned. He said: “It’s a tragedy what’s happened to it.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a site of historical importance or anything but it could be something. If it stays how it is, it’ll get burnt down one day by vandals. It’s a real shame.”
When we asked for further information this week, including who owns the site and if there are any plans to take action on the building, we were told there were no further updates about the cafe at this time.
The abandoned Otterspool café (Image: Liverpool Echo)
Cllr Antrobus is hoping the park’s condition can improve if issues continue to be highlighted. He said: “In my eyes, the park should be classed as a nature reserve.
“There used to be a popular bowling green and now the skatepark is well used. People come to this promenade from all over the city, not just south Liverpool, but the park itself has somehow declined over the years.”
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “We want everyone to enjoy our parks and greenspaces, especially now that the weather is improving. We encourage everyone to be respectful of other users of the parks and the wildlife that lives there.
“Barbecues can damage the ground and are a serious fire risk if they’re not disposed of properly. If you’re using a barbecue in our parks, please make sure that it is properly constructed, off the ground, and any fire is completely extinguished. All litter should also be placed in a bin or taken home with you. Alternatively, please consider a picnic instead.
“Similarly, it is an offence to drive or park any motor vehicle in our parks under the Parks and Open Spaces Byelaws. Otterspool Park has plenty of free parking nearby on Otterspool Drive and Mersey Road and is next door to Aigburth train station.
“Driving on our greenspaces is dangerous and poses a serious risk for pedestrians, not to mention the damage it does to the ground. Any person found committing this offence may be prosecuted.
“Our parks are a much-loved part of Liverpool, and they deserve to be treated with respect. If you notice anti-social or dangerous behaviour, please report it to our Safer Parks Team on 0151 351 1999.”