Cumberland Council is updating residents of an upcoming safety improvement project for a well-known cycling footway in Workington.
The path runs along National Cycleway 72 between Harrington Road and Moorclose Road in Workington.
The multi-agency group consisting of members from Cumbria Police, Cumberland Council, Sustrans and the local housing associations (Castles and Coasts, Westfield Housing, Riverside and Home Group), have joined forces to address the issue of violence against women and girls within the community.
As part of their collaborative effort, they have launched an initiative that aims to enhance safety measures along a specific cycle route. In the coming months, they will be implementing necessary changes to ensure a safer environment for both cyclists and pedestrians.
The initiative, named "Violence Against Women and Girls," recognises the importance of safeguarding individuals who utilise this route.
The focus of this initiative is to tackle the issue of women and girls saying they do not feel safe in this location. Reasons stated include signs of alcohol and drug misuse, anti-social behaviour and areas being overgrown and dark.
To ensure better visibility and enhance safety, the council will be replacing the existing lighting columns in the designated areas. The new lighting columns will provide improved lighting coverage, enhancing visibility during the evening and night hours.
In addition to the lighting column replacements, the council will also be addressing the issue of overgrown trees adjacent to some of the lighting columns. These trees pose potential risks by obstructing lighting and creating dark areas, which can compromise safety. To ensure that trees can be trimmed in nesting season, a habitat assessment will be carried out prior to the commencement of any work.
The safety improvement measures are scheduled to be organised from Monday 10 July, in advance of the school summer holidays.
Councillor Denise Rollo, Cumberland Council’s Executive Portfolio Holder for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said:
“It is crucial that we work in partnership with multiple agencies to harness the collective expertise and resources available.
“Ensuring the safety of individuals within a community is of utmost importance. By adding extra lighting and trimming selected trees along this specific route, we can provide reassurance to the people in the area, making residents feel secure and confident.”
Inspector Pete Aiston, of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“We welcome the work underway here to provide extra safety and security for those people using this route.
“Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and Cumbria Constabulary and our partners always treat these issues seriously.
“It’s great to see partners working in this way to provide practical measures to help women and girls feel safer in their local community.”