Light the Way: We're stepping up our fight to get lights in Glasgow's parks

Next month we are going to hear from those who are terrified about another winter feeling unsafe at night.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 22nd Jun 2023

Clyde 1's Light The Way campaign is demanding Glasgow councillors find the money to light up the city's parks at night time to allow people a safe route home at night.

Over the last 18 months, we have been campaigning tirelessly to get lighting in parks to help people get home in the middle of the winter.

Last year, Glasgow City Council confirmed Kelvingrove, Cranhill and Queens Park WILL have lights fitted in January 2025.

However earlier this year, a report by the council suggested there is no money from this year's budget that will be allocated towards funding them.

READ MORE: Light the Way: Plans to put lighting in Glasgow parks under threat

Scottish Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy is a vocal supporter of Light the Way and will be joining us in Glasgow next month as we sit down with those most affected by the dark parks.

She said: "Everyone can go out and enjoy the nice light nights at the moment, but before we know it the autumn will be here and I don't think people want to face another year feeling unsafe.

"Now is exactly the right time to move at pace on this to make parks feel much safer for those who use them."

Just last month, councillors in Edinburgh approved funding for new and improved lighting in their parks, in a bid to make the city safer at night.

£500,000 is set to be pumped into better lights in 50 parks across the capital.

READ MORE: Light The Way: Glasgow stays in the dark as Edinburgh Council to splash out on park lighting

Pam added: "I don't understand why Glasgow City Council isn't prioritising this issue because we know we need to get to net-zero.

"We really want to be encouraging people to use the parks as an alternative to the car, but that is not possible just now.

"It should not fall to the public or community organisations, as has been suggested by the council, to find the money.

"We really need council bosses to step up to the mark and find this cash urgently."

A spokesperson for the council said: “Work to install lighting in the parks involved in the current pilot programme will require a significant level of funding, which has still to be identified.

“Our parks development team has an excellent track record of working with communities and local groups to secure funding from the range of available sources.

“We are already working with community organisations in the Castlemilk area to secure funding for improvements to the existing lighting columns in Castlemilk Park, which we are hopeful will be successful.

“There are still issues to be resolved with the proposals in the three pilots parks, such as environmental impact assessments, and at this stage there is no consensus over which routes through each park should have lighting.

“Our parks development team will continue to progress these proposals and also look to identify funding where ever possible.”

Hear all the latest news from across Glasgow and the West on the hour, every hour, at Clyde 1. Listen on FM, via our Radio Clyde app, on your DAB radio, online at Clyde1.com, or say ‘Play Clyde 1’ on your Smart Speaker.