NEW lights are brightening a Cowley street after residents expressed concerns over their safety.

Oxfordshire County Council has placed a lighting column half-way down the alleyway between Nye Bevan Close and Manzil Way after pressure from several councillors.

Oxford city councillors Bev Clack and Tom Hayes, county councillor Jamila Azad and Oxford East MP Andrew Smith had called for more lighting in the area.

Mr Smith said it was in response to residents repeatedly raising concerns about the darkness of the walkway, naming it their number one problem in their neighbourhood. Police had also stepped up patrols at residents’ request to ensure public safety.

Mr Smith said: “This is good news for the whole community. Residents are already saying that the street lamp is making a huge difference.

“It’s a testament to local residents and their campaigning that this improved lighting is now in place.”

Mr Hayes said: “When the area was blacked out for long periods of the day you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.

“Now people move around their own neighbourhood without having concerns about trips, falls and attacks.”

 

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