Gloom over better parks lighting bid
Stirling Council’s environment convener has flicked the switch on any chance of local parks being better lit.
Councillor Jim Thomson told a meeting of the council on Thursday that parks were “a place for children to play during the day”.
And he said adults who wanted to walk at night should expect to use lit alternative routes.
“I don’t see any benefit in improved lighting in parks,”said Councillor Thomson.“Stirling Council’s provision of street lights within Dunblane is designed to illuminate adopted roads and footways and are concentrated throughout main roads and residential areas.
“Traditionally we do not provide lighting within parks. This would require significant investment and detract from the provision of lighting on adopted roads and footways.
“If pedestrians do not feel safe while taking a short cut through park land during the hours of darkness, we would encourage residents to keep to adopted footways which are properly lit.”
He was responding after Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Tory councillor Alastair Majury had asked if there were any plans to improve and add lighting to“well used paths”in Newton Crescent Park in Dunblane”.
Councillor Majury, who had initially raised the issue of lighting at the playpark back in February, said he was disappointed by CouncillorThomson’s response.
In February the Tory councillor told the Observer there were concerns that the lack of street lighting represented a safety concern as many people used the path through it as a shortcut route when walking to and from work – often in the dark.
He added:“A number of local people have approached me to share their concerns over the current state of the park. They basically want it to be safer, lighter and more usable. It is an important local amenity.”