Bushes trimmed by footbridge after safety concerns

Residents have asked the council to improve the lighting in the area and install CCTV cameras

A council has cut down overgrown bushes on a footbridge after the public called for safety improvements.

There have been reports of anti-social behaviour around the footbridge over the Soke Parkway, which connects Peterborough City Hospital with the Bretton area in Peterborough.

There have been calls from ward councillors and residents to improve the lighting in the area and install CCTV cameras.

Richard Strangward, the Peterborough City councillor for the Bretton ward, said that he had received "positive" feedback from the public since the bushes had been trimmed this week.

Cambridgeshire Police told the BBC that it had not received specific information of any recent violent crime that had been committed in the area.

Yet, it added, it had increased patrols following a public plea.

The police said that there had been two criminal incidents on the bridge over the past 12 months. This included one sexual assault, for which someone has been charged and remanded, and one common assault, which was pending further investigation.

Mr Strangward said: “The overgrown bushes made it difficult for people to see around corners, which compromised your vision and made users intimidated.

"It looks much neater now. This is a great example of cross-party work with support from Peterborough First councillor Gavin Elsey."

Peterborough City Council said it was working with partners to make people feel safer when using the bridge.

Cambridgeshire Police said it had increased patrols following a public plea

A council spokeswoman said: "The lighting columns on the A47 are the responsibility of National Highways and so we will be speaking to them to see if any changes could be made.

"The current lighting on the footbridge is in keeping with other footbridges across the city."