UK Councils to Implement New Safety Measures for Women and Girls
A recent survey commissioned by Active Travel England has revealed alarming statistics about women's safety on UK streets, prompting new government guidance for local councils. The poll of 2,125 UK adults found that 88% of women have felt unsafe while walking after dark, with 71% of female respondents admitting they change their routes to avoid walking in darkness.
Survey Findings Highlight Widespread Safety Concerns
The comprehensive survey identified several key issues contributing to women's feelings of insecurity. Inadequate street lighting emerged as a primary concern, along with poorly maintained walking routes, personal safety fears, and antisocial behaviour. These factors combine to create environments where women feel particularly vulnerable during evening hours.
Chris Boardman, national commissioner for Active Travel England, described the survey results as "appalling" and emphasized the need for immediate action. "That almost nine out of 10 women say they feel unsafe walking after dark is an appalling finding we should be ashamed of," he stated. "For too long, we have designed streets that don't work for women and girls."
New Guidance and Practical Solutions
The forthcoming guidance for English councils will emphasize several practical interventions to improve street safety. These include:
- Well-designed street lighting systems that provide adequate illumination
- Establishment of designated walking routes alongside busy roads with CCTV coverage
- Implementation of international best practices, such as the Vigo, Spain scheme allowing women to request bus stops anywhere along night routes
- Improved visibility and direct emergency service links through initiatives like Liverpool's Halo Points
Several towns and cities have already taken proactive steps to address these concerns. Notable examples include:
- Worksop, Nottinghamshire installing 27 new CCTV cameras in locations where women reported feeling unsafe
- Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire creating a designated safe walking route with enhanced visibility to the railway station
- Liverpool city centre introducing Halo Points - well-lit, highly visible devices with direct emergency service connections
Government Commitment and Training Initiatives
The government has established an ambitious goal of halving violence against women and girls within the next decade. Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood acknowledged that the survey results show "just how much work there is to be done" to achieve this target.
Home Office minister Jess Phillips went further, declaring violence against women and girls "a national emergency" that requires immediate and sustained attention. The government plans to support councils with training sessions beginning in spring, alongside the distribution of detailed guidance later this year.
Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of charity Living Streets, highlighted the broader implications of street safety concerns. "Ignoring women's safety on streets leads to them missing out on everything from education and exercise, to leisure and accessing work," she explained, emphasizing how safety concerns can limit women's participation in public life.
Boardman, an Olympic champion cyclist, expressed particular concern about the inequality revealed by the survey. "It is a terrible thing that women and girls do not feel they have the same freedom to simply walk in their neighbourhood as men and boys," he said. The new initiatives aim to remove barriers that prevent women from choosing to walk or use wheeled transportation, whether through better lighting, improved crossings, CCTV systems, or simply listening to and acting on lived experiences.
The YouGov survey, conducted in February, has provided crucial data that will inform these safety improvements across England. As councils prepare to implement the new guidance, the focus remains on creating streets where all residents can feel secure regardless of gender or time of day.
