Safety concerns raised for women in Bucks

A councillor is now calling for a street lighting review.

Women are avoiding streets, taking longer routes home and refusing to walk alone after dark because they feel unsafe, a councillor says.

Cllr Chris Chilton has called for a wider review of street lighting across High Wycombe.

He said women had told him they “avoid certain streets, take longer routes home or simply won’t walk alone after dark” because of poor lighting and fears about antisocial behaviour and crime.

His comments follow concerns from the Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Co-chief executive Beki Osborne said: “At a time where nights are getting longer, without adequate street lighting women and marginalised groups do not feel safe to be out in public.”

Ms Osborne said councils should consider the impact of lighting decisions under the Equality Act 2010.

She said an equality impact assessment should examine whether reduced lighting could restrict people’s ability to travel to work or take part in social and wellbeing activities.

The service said one in three women would experience “rape, sexual or domestic abuse” during their lifetime.

She added: “For anyone affected, we’re here for you. To contact us, please visit our website: www.saassbmk.org.uk”

Cllr Chilton also pointed to the area around High Wycombe Museum and the cemetery on Priory Road.

He said persistent problems with drug dealing, drug use and antisocial behaviour had led him to bring council officers and police together to discuss better lighting and CCTV.

Cllr Chilton said: “But this is about much more than one location. We need a wider review of poorly lit streets, footpaths, parks and public spaces across High Wycombe, with women’s experiences and concerns at the heart of the decisions we make.

“The Government has made tackling violence against women and girls a national priority, and I believe local councils have a vital role to play in supporting that ambition.”

Better lighting would not solve every problem, he said, but could help women and girls feel more confident using streets after dark.

Buckinghamshire Council Deputy Leader and transport cabinet member Thomas Broom said street lighting helped people feel safe and confident.

He said the council took its responsibilities seriously and regularly inspected and maintained its lighting network.

Residents can report faults through Fix My Street, Mr Broom said, helping the council identify and resolve problems.

Mr Broom said: “As part of our ongoing commitment to investing in infrastructure that benefits residents, we have upgraded our streetlights to energy-efficient LED technology, improving reliability while reducing energy use. We are receiving fewer reports of faults with street-lighting year on year and attempt to address the majority of faults within a 20-day timeframe.