Eco-lighting to be considered for 'pitch dark' Stevenage park

Jennifer Huygen wants lighting installed in Fairlands Valley Park so users can feel safe

A council has vowed to consider installing "eco-friendly, wildlife-conscious" lighting in a central park.

The 120-acre Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, is a hub of leisure and wildlife activity, but is poorly lit at night.

Jennifer Huygen, who uses the park daily, presented a 1,300-strong petition at a meeting of Stevenage Borough Council on Wednesday.

Ms Huygen said the "most valued green space" was full of "pitch dark paths".

A motion attached to her petition was passed by the council, receiving cross party support.

The proposals will be added to a wider Green Spaces strategy that is expected to be consulted on in 2024.

Ms Huygen's petition has been backed by the Stevenage Striders and Fairlands Valley Spartans running clubs, and Cycling UK.

The council debate was triggered when the petition reached 1,000 signatures.

Ms Huygen took photos in the same spot in Fairlands Valley Park to highlight the difference between day and night

Fairlands Valley Park is in the heart of the Hertfordshire town and has extensive leisure facilities, including an aqua park, play area, sailing centre, outdoor activity centre, four lakes, conservation areas and woodland.

It also provides a variety of habitats supporting wildlife, including grassland which provides a home to a great green bush cricket colony.

The motion asked council officers to look into how the lights could be paid for, including options for external funding.

It will also seek the views of Hertfordshire Police and the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust on the proposals.

Ms Huygen told the council how colleagues had to arrange to leave work early in order to cross the park in daylight.

She said avoiding the park added 30 minutes to her own commute.

"The lanes are pitch dark," she said. "You cannot see the path, you cannot see your surroundings.

"Fairlands Valley Park is the most valued green space in Stevenage and so much more than a place to be physically active."

Jennifer Huygen said lighting was needed to make sure "everyone can feel safe while using our public park"

In response to news the motion had been carried, Ms Huygen said: "Of course I'm happy it was passed."

She added: "However it hasn't been easy to get to this point. The whole process wasn't very accessible or inclusive. It's all very political and not an easy process for a resident to understand or get involved in.

"In the end, our petition isn't complete until lighting has been installed. So I'll continue to engage with the council to identify the paths that require lighting and keep on top of the timeline to fulfil the motion's actions and get our request actioned."

Installing proper lighting, she said, would "not just brighten pathways, but also connect communities around Fairlands Valley Park, enhancing safety, and extending the park's welcome to every resident, every day".