Support service covering Milton Keynes calls on council to do more to help women feel safe at night
A support service which covers Milton Keynes has called on Buckinghamshire Council to improve streetlighting, so that women feel safer out at night.
Co-chief executive of The Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Beki Osborne urged the authority to consider the impact of lighting decisions under the Equality Act 2010.
Ms Osborne said during the meeting: “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.”
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.”
Buckinghamshire Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for transport Thomas Broom said street lighting helped people feel safe and confident, and he acknowledged that the council took its responsibilities seriously and regularly inspected and maintained its lighting network.
Residents can report faults through FixMyStreet, Cllr Broom said, which helps the authority identify and resolve problems.
Cllr 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.
“The safety of our communities remains a priority.
"Through the Safer Bucks Strategy, we continue to work closely with partners to create safer environments and help people feel confident when they are out and about.”