Glasgow calls for extra lighting to be installed at park after death of Sarah Everard

The campaign is calling for the implementation of increased street lighting along the Kelvin Way at Kelvingrove park.

It is asking Glasgow City Council to consider the move as it claims the areas are not adequately, making the area feel unsafe for women and students. 

READ MORE: Glasgow women honour Sarah Everard with ribbons and notes

It reads: "In light of the tragic news of Sarah Everard, more attention needs to be paid to issues surrounding female fear of violence.

"Kelvingrove Park and Kelvin Way are routes home for many people, including many young students, yet these spaces still lack adequate street lighting.

"The park and surrounding area has unfortunately been linked to a number of sexual crimes, the most recent occurring in 2019."

"Many women are undeniably fearful of gender-based violence and although increasing street lights cannot prevent these crimes, it can make women feel more secure when walking alone at night. 

"We need to listen to women in order to implement meaningful security measures that allow women to move through space more freely.

"We urge Glasgow City Council to increase street lighting in these spaces so that we can allow women to feel safer when they are walking home."

Almost 1800 locals have signed the petition so far. 

Tributes for Sarah Everard were left by Glaswegians around the city at the weekend. 

Flowers, ribbons and words of honour were scattered across Glasgow in memory of the 33-year-old, who went missing earlier this month. 

Women and men took part in a nationwide Reclaim These Streets event on Saturday evening to pay their condolences.

After leaving a friend's house on March 3, Sarah went missing while walking home through South London. 

The remains of her body were found in a woodland area in Kent on Wednesday - a week after she vanished. 

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “We have an established petitions process that allows Glasgow residents to raise issues of concern directly with the council.

“Work has previously been undertaken with Glasgow University to ensure that lighting around their campuses and halls of residences is fully operational, including on Kelvin Way and parts of Kelvingrove Park.

“The lighting along Kelvin Way has a distinctive design to fit with the trees lining the street, but our view is that these lights provide a suitable level of illumination for all road users.

“It is not common practice to provide lighting within any of our parks due to environmental considerations and to ensure as natural a habitat as possible for local wildlife.”

View the petition HERE.