Equal access Plans to make parks safer approved

PLANS to make Bristol parks safer for women and girls received unanimous support from city councillors despite concerns about the potential impact on wildlife such as bats.

- Adam POSTANS

A motion by opposition Labour calling for better lighting along paths, more help and information points, visible staff or wardens on site, removal of overgrown vegetation, and the creation of clear sight-lines was endorsed by 60-0 votes at a meeting of full council.

It means two parks, including Castle Park which is already the subject of a major revamp as part of wider proposals to transform the city centre, will be selected to pilot improved safety measures.

These could then be rolled out to open spaces across Bristol, which would be a decision for the public health and communities committee which has been tasked with identifying other barriers that prevent people from using parks as well as the funding needed to address these.

Cllr Lisa Durston, who tabled the motion, told the meeting: “We all know how important parks and green spaces are, for our physical health, our mental health, our connection to nature and a sense of community.

“We also know that not everyone gets to enjoy them equally.