The council confirmed that lights will be installed along the South Park path. This win belongs to every one of you who signed. We will monitor the site until the project is complete.
May 16, 2021
Oxford City Council: Install lights along the path at the top of South Park
Final supporters
Oxford City Council should install lights along the length of the path at the top of South Park as a matter of priority.
The path is the shortest route between Brookes university and student housing / halls in Cowley, meaning that it is commonly used as a thoroughfare by students. It is similarly used by students at Cheney school, and by local residents. Though it affords a beautiful view over the city's famous dreaming spires during the day, at night it offers no view at all.
Many returning from a late night stint at the library or walking the dog on a winter evening will be familiar with the routine: a growing sense of apprehension when approaching the path; a quickened pace to traverse the path as quickly as possible.
The lack of lighting means that on a dark night it's impossible to even see your feet unless you have enough charge on your phone to use it as a torch.
The park's reputation as a site of past sexual assault makes the installation of lights a matter of even greater urgency. (Copy and paste this link into your browser for more information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-29327722)
If you feel that the path at the top of South Park should have lights installed, sign the petition! Let's aim for 500 signatures, but the more the better! The petition will be presented to the Members of the City Council for consideration.
*UPDATE* The target of 500 signatures has been reached, and the petition has been handed to the Council. However, the Council doesn't debate petitions unless they reach 1500 signatures. The original target was reached easily, so the target has now been raised to 2000 signatures. Let's make a real impact and show how much this means to the local community!
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 16, 2021
May 29, 2015
One hundred signatures in just a few days. The council cannot ignore this level of concern much longer.
Reached 100 supporters
May 26, 2015
239 Comments
The Council's response of an alternative route isn't realistic. The alternative route takes students living at Oxford Brookes in the opposite direction of their accommodation. And nobody who has been out dancing in heels is going to take a longer route. Spend some money on students for once!
This definitely needs to happen. I remember being at brookes and always having to call someone when walking across the park. In Winter it’s dark by 4pm and it’s not right for people to feel unsafe walking home at 4pm
We regularly walk our dog in the park and I do the evening walk before my husband returns from work. I am particuarly uncomfortable during the dark evenings being a female walking in the park alone. Any extra lighting in the area at the top of the park would really help.
I think this is a really worthwhile idea. Having grown up in Oxford, I frequently have walked along that path but have often chosen to take the longer route in the dark! It would be a convenience to many by installing lights!
As a lecturer at Oxford Brookes, I think it is vital to keep safe and secure spaces around the Oxford Brookes campus for students and the broader community. It is a cause that the whole community should be able to benefit from rallying around.
I want to support!!
Horrific incidents have occurred too many times in this stupid park. People have been mugged, attacked, raped. Young students walk through this park everyday, dark and light. It’s terrifying. It’s not too much to ask for at least one lit area.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The council confirmed that lights will be installed along the South Park path. This win belongs to every one of you who signed. We will monitor the site until the project is complete.
May 16, 2021
Oxford City Council: Install lights along the path at the top of South Park
Final supporters
Oxford City Council should install lights along the length of the path at the top of South Park as a matter of priority.
The path is the shortest route between Brookes university and student housing / halls in Cowley, meaning that it is commonly used as a thoroughfare by students. It is similarly used by students at Cheney school, and by local residents. Though it affords a beautiful view over the city's famous dreaming spires during the day, at night it offers no view at all.
Many returning from a late night stint at the library or walking the dog on a winter evening will be familiar with the routine: a growing sense of apprehension when approaching the path; a quickened pace to traverse the path as quickly as possible.
The lack of lighting means that on a dark night it's impossible to even see your feet unless you have enough charge on your phone to use it as a torch.
The park's reputation as a site of past sexual assault makes the installation of lights a matter of even greater urgency. (Copy and paste this link into your browser for more information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-29327722)
If you feel that the path at the top of South Park should have lights installed, sign the petition! Let's aim for 500 signatures, but the more the better! The petition will be presented to the Members of the City Council for consideration.
*UPDATE* The target of 500 signatures has been reached, and the petition has been handed to the Council. However, the Council doesn't debate petitions unless they reach 1500 signatures. The original target was reached easily, so the target has now been raised to 2000 signatures. Let's make a real impact and show how much this means to the local community!
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 16, 2021
May 29, 2015
One hundred signatures in just a few days. The council cannot ignore this level of concern much longer.
Reached 100 supporters
May 26, 2015
239 Comments
This has been an ongoing request and issue since at least 2015 when I started my undergrad. It was a problem then, it was likely a problem long before, it continues to be a problem now, and it will remain one until it is sorted. Get it done.
The Council's response of an alternative route isn't realistic. The alternative route takes students living at Oxford Brookes in the opposite direction of their accommodation. And nobody who has been out dancing in heels is going to take a longer route. Spend some money on students for once!
This definitely needs to happen. I remember being at brookes and always having to call someone when walking across the park. In Winter it’s dark by 4pm and it’s not right for people to feel unsafe walking home at 4pm
We regularly walk our dog in the park and I do the evening walk before my husband returns from work. I am particuarly uncomfortable during the dark evenings being a female walking in the park alone. Any extra lighting in the area at the top of the park would really help.
I think this is a really worthwhile idea. Having grown up in Oxford, I frequently have walked along that path but have often chosen to take the longer route in the dark! It would be a convenience to many by installing lights!
As a lecturer at Oxford Brookes, I think it is vital to keep safe and secure spaces around the Oxford Brookes campus for students and the broader community. It is a cause that the whole community should be able to benefit from rallying around.
I want to support!!
Horrific incidents have occurred too many times in this stupid park. People have been mugged, attacked, raped. Young students walk through this park everyday, dark and light. It’s terrifying. It’s not too much to ask for at least one lit area.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
This has been an ongoing request and issue since at least 2015 when I started my undergrad. It was a problem then, it was likely a problem long before, it continues to be a problem now, and it will remain one until it is sorted. Get it done.