Government extends consultation on street safety measures

The Government has extended a consultation to help design streets which improve personal safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The consultation, which will now close at 11.45pm on September 15, seeks views on which street design features work, and which do not; what data and evidence there is around the prevalence of those incidents; and how people can be involved in street design to create better outcomes.

It will help shape the Government’s work to update Manual for streets and Manual for streets 2.

Street safety has risen in importance since the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard six months ago.

Everard was last seen walking home in London on March 3 and her body was later found in woodland in Kent. Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens pleaded guilty to her murder. 

Following a public outcry to Everard's murder, the Government said it would add £25 million to the Safer Streets fund, which provides neighbourhood measures such as better lighting and CCTV.

However, there have been calls for further action and transport operators and city planners have a role to play in improving safety, as highlighted by Laura Shoaf, chair of the Urban Transport Group and interim chief executive of West Midlands Combined Authority.

48% of women feel less safe when out alone 

A survey by Bauer Media, the publishers of Smart Transport, has revealed that women still feel unsafe, six months on from Everard’s murder.

The research found that 48% of women feel less safe when out alone now – despite 77% of both men and women agreeing the tragedy was a defining moment in terms of the conversation around women’s safety.

Some 75% of women surveyed said they feel more aware of potential danger when out in the evenings and have become more vigilant.

Four in five women still don’t feel safe walking home on their own after a night out. Within the last six months, half have chosen to stick to walking along main roads only and 48% have felt worried about someone walking behind them.

Moreover, 38% put their phone away so they’re not distracted, a third (34%) always walk home with a friend and 15% have learned self-defence.

Full results of the Bauer Media survey can be accessed on the Planet Radio website.