Lincoln MP, Karl, has asked Lincolnshire County Council to ensure that every second streetlight in the City of Lincoln is lit during the early morning hours through to daylight. This is in support of requests from the local universities.
His letter states that he has “been made aware that some students and residents are afraid to walk home in the dark. I realise the return to a more 24-hour economy' of the City of Lincoln after the hiatus of the pandemic lockdowns will have prompted this request maybe. It seems this ’safety aspect’ of life in a City is being revisited and so streetlights are the Student Unions’ latest big issue for the areas of travel as students make their way home who live both on and off campus. I am told that the issue is replicated by Bishop Grossteste’s university too, following a meeting earlier this week with local police officers at South Park.
“Keeping women and girls (alongside men and boys) safe at night is a key Government priority – not only as tackling violence against women and girls was added to the revised Strategic Policing Requirement as a national priority but it is also aligned to the Safer Streets initiative. This request therefore should be seen as part of delivering on these overarching commitments.”
Concerning the request, Karl said: “Keeping everybody safe in our City Centre is vitally important but it is crucial that they also feel safe. Having street lights turned off in our City Centre will certainly not do that. That is why the County Council needs to change its stance and also why Lincolnshire Police needs to be demanding they do so. I fully support the local student unions in their requests for change.”
