A WIRRAL town is frustrated after a telephone box was damaged once again, this time allegedly by a Co-Op delivery lorry.

People told the LDRS they were worried someone might get injured or killed as they believe it is bound to happen again.

The telephone box sits in a “busy spot” outside shops on Teehey Lane in Bebington and once housed a defibrillator with 24 hour access for anyone in an emergency. However, on the morning of October 19, a back end of a Co-Op lorry allegedly took it out, knocking the door clean off and leaving glass and metal on the pavement.

The incident with the box, which has now been cordoned off, has raised concerns in the area about when it might happen again. The box is being replaced and the defibrillator housed in the Co-Op but community figure Terry Cunningham said the situation was extremely frustrating.

He said he probably wouldn’t replace it again and will look for another place to house the defibrillator. As for why it’s been such an issue, he said there was no parking enforcement with vans and cars parking on zig zags at a nearby crossing or in a designated loading bay.

This causes problems for lorries pulling away and hitting the box. He told the LDRS: “Somebody needs to do something about enforcement, either relocate the loading bay or try and enforce it. The enforcement is only as good as when it occurs.”

A man who worked nearby who wanted to remain anonymous said: “What is most dangerous is there are three schools around here and you can see how busy it is. People are literally parking up on the zigzags,” adding: “Somebody should speak up about it. It’s disgusting. Why do you have to wait for somebody to be killed before something gets done?”

He said: “Honest to god if somebody stood here, you could make thousands of pounds a month.”

It’s not just parking concerns that were raised by people in the area. Other issues included a perceived lack of investment in pavements, unsafe roads for children cycling to school, and a recent road collision at the Village Road junction opposite the box.

Richard Cross, who works in one of the shops on the street, said: “Businesses can struggle when you do not see maintenance outside,” adding: “It would make the area look nice. How easy would it have been for the council to have chosen the same colour paving stones?”

Many of these issues would look to be addressed by the By Ours Bebington project, a £10m plan developed by cycling charity Sustrans to improve the town’s high streets with investment in places like Teehey Lane, an aim to make roads safer, as well as new walking and cycling routes. Thousands of people were engaged with the project with strong support for many of the proposals.

The project was approved at a council environment and transport committee meeting in September though councillors questioned how much Wirral Council would be able to deliver it given the local authority’s current financial position. Councillors agreed to speak with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority about possible funding for some works in the area with updates given at a future meeting.

Bebington councillor Ed Lamb said he did not want the council to lose sight of the project which includes plans to invest money in Teehey Lane, adding: “I think you could make real improvements if we had the political will. People are getting injured and hurt and stuff is getting smashed to pieces.” He has requested the council look at ways to improve junctions in the area to improve road safety.

A Wirral Council spokesperson said: “The role in enforcing parking is taken extremely seriously by Wirral Council, seeking to balance the needs and safety of pedestrians and road users. This includes focusing on those areas which are identified as higher risk while also ensuring enforcement is carried out across the borough. This location has seen 68 visits and five PCNs issued in past twelve months.

“Regarding the condition of pavements the authority undertakes regular safety checks which follow government guidelines which helps to prioritise risk against available resources. You can report any pavement issues using the Council website – Problems with roads and pavements | wirral.gov.uk”

The Co-Op were also approached for comment.