Mersey Reporter - Merseybites News

SEFTON is once again preparing to welcome thousands of visitors to the borough for the Grand National Festival, which takes place in Aintree Racecourse from:- Thursday, 9 April to Saturday, 11 April 2026.

The Council are working alongside Merseyside Police and event traffic management partners to help people travel to and from the racecourse as smoothly and safely as possible over the 3 day event.

The following temporary road closures to reduce disruption will be in place:-

Melling Road will be closed from:- 7am, on:- Wednesday, 8 April 2026, until:- 10pm, on:- Saturday, 11 April 2026, between:- Aintree Lane and Seeds Lane.
A59 (Ormskirk Road) will be closed between:- 4pm and 9pm, on:- 9 April, 10 April, and 11 April 2026, between:- Park Lane and Topham Drive, including Brenka Avenue.
Park Lane will be closed between:- 4pm and 9pm, on:- all 3 race days, between:- Bridle Road and A59 Ormskirk Road.

Residents who are not attending the festival are advised, where possible, to avoid the area during the afternoon and early evening period, particularly while closures are in place.

Signed diversion routes will be in operation. They are:-

Traffic affected by the Melling Road closure will be diverted via Aintree Lane, Wango Lane, Valley Road, Longmoor Lane and Warbreck Moor, with separate routes in place for HGVs.
Traffic affected by the Park Lane closure will be diverted via Bridle Road, Netherton Way, Bailey Drive, Southport Road, Hornby Road, Rice Lane and Warbreck Moor.

A temporary area of Bus stops and a Hackney Carriage taxi rank will operate on Park Lane, between Bridle Road and A59 Ormskirk Road, from 3pm to 9pm on all three race days to help people leave the area safely after racing finishes.

Anyone travelling in the area during the Grand National Festival is encouraged to plan journeys in advance, allow significant extra time for travel, follow diversion signage and consider alternative routes where possible.

Peter Moore, Sefton Council's Assistant Director for Highways and Public Protection said:- "Where possible those travelling to and from the Aintree Grand National Festival should make use of the excellent public transport facilities on offer, including regular bus and train services which alight exceptionally close to the racecourse. We know it is not just festival goers who will be reliant on the transport network that weekend. Thousands of residents will be going about their daily business and are likely to face disruption due to heightened traffic levels and necessary road closures."

Traffic and transport levels in and out of the area are expected to be exceptionally high this year, with Liverpool FC also playing a home football match in the evening at Anfield on:- Saturday 11 April 2026.

Peter Moore continued:- "It is fantastic to see the Liverpool City Region so popular but we have to be aware of the demand on our transport network. We continue to work with partners across a number of agencies and authorities to ensure the weekend goes smoothly and everyone gets to where they need to be as quickly as they can and as safely as they can."

Events in the Liverpool City Region:-