- A recent survey commissioned by Active Travel England (Ate) revealed that 88 per cent of women in the UK feel unsafe when walking at night.
- The poll also found that 71 per cent of female respondents alter their routes to avoid walking in the dark, citing inadequate lighting, poorly maintained paths, and fears for personal safety.
- Ate will issue new guidance to English councils later this year, emphasising the importance of well-designed street lighting and CCTV coverage along walking routes.
- The guidance will draw on international examples, such as a scheme in Vigo, Spain, which allows women to request bus stops anywhere along a route at night to reduce walking distances.
- Chris Boardman, the Ate national commissioner, described the survey results as “appalling” and highlighted the need to design streets that work better for women and girls.
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