Campaigners shed light on women walker fears

FOUR-IN-TEN women in Scotland would walk more often if they felt safer after dark, a survey has found.

- BY NEIL POORAN

Women fear walking in the dark

The figures have led campaigners to call for improved lighting, paths and infrastructure in order to close the “walking gap”.

In comparison, just 24% of men say they would walk more if they felt safer at night.

Walking Scotland chose the winter period to highlight the need for such improvements. Tess Gee, of the charity, said: “Feeling unsafe after dark should never be the reason someone chooses not to walk. Yet it’s the reality for too many women across Scotland.