Publish date: 17 July 2026
Travel Alert – the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale
The 154th Open Championship is taking place at Royal Birkdale, Southport, from 12 to 19 July 2026, with Championship play running from 16 to 19 July. Large numbers of visitors are expected across the Southport and Sefton areas, which is likely to result in increased traffic congestion, busier rail services, road closures and longer journey times.
What staff need to do:
- Plan your journey in advance and check travel updates before leaving home
- Allow extra travel time for all shifts, particularly if travelling through Southport, Ainsdale, Birkdale, Formby or surrounding Sefton routes
- Consider using public transport where possible and review Merseytravel travel advice before travelling
- If you anticipate delays, please inform your line manager at the earliest opportunity.
Services and sites that may be affected:
The following Mersey Care services and locations in the area may experience travel disruption during the event:
- Hartley Hospital, Southport – including Older Adult Mental Health Services, Community Mental Health Teams and associated services
- North Sefton Community Mental Health Team (Hartley Hospital site)
- Community and mental health services operating across Southport and Sefton locations.
Useful Links
- The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale: https://www.theopen.com/royal-birkdale-154th-open
- Merseytravel Travel Advice: https://www.merseytravel.gov.uk/customer-information/open-golf/
Please leave plenty of time for your journey and help us maintain services by arriving safely and on time where possible.