Crown green bowlers in Wirral are calling on Wirral Council to move them permanently from a Liscard bowling green they describe as "dangerous," warning that "someone is going to get seriously injured."
Members of the Wirral Pairs League play at Central Park in Liscard during the winter, a facility the league pays the council to use. The council currently requires the league to alternate each winter between Central Park and Birkenhead Park.
Safety concerns at Central Park
Jack Beecham, the league's secretary, says players should be permanently moved away from Central Park, which he says poses a "serious risk" to safety. During a tour of the site, he pointed to trip hazards, toilets that do not lock, and the absence of a disabled toilet, all of which he says endanger the league's many elderly members.
Mr Beecham claimed that during the last winter at Liscard, two years ago, there were over half a dozen accidents, including elderly members falling and injuring themselves. He says there has already been one accident this winter. In contrast, he claimed there were no injuries at all when the league played at Birkenhead Park last winter.
Players back the call to move
Mr Beecham said: "We should be moved back to Birkenhead Park immediately. The next accident here could be a little old lady breaking a leg. It's not safe."
He added: "We're paying the council good money and getting a poor service. I understand the council is struggling for money, but if they can't afford to bring the facility up to standard, why open it to us. Let us go elsewhere. It's dangerous."
Other league members echoed his concerns. June Buckley told the ECHO: "I don't think it's safe here at all. Birkenhead is 100% better." Ken Williams said: "I'd choose Birkenhead over Liscard every time if I could."
Council response
When asked whether the league could be moved back to Birkenhead Park, a Wirral Council spokesperson said: "Council officers have responded to these claims directly. We now consider the matter closed."
