#LightTheWay: Scottish Green leader Patrick Harvie backs campaign to light up Glasgow's parks

Author: Selena JacksonPublished 6th Dec 2021

The co-leader of the Scottish Greens is backing Clyde 1's #LightTheWay campaign.

Patrick Harvie, who is also the Scottish Government minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights, is speaking days before we hold a demonstration in Kelvingrove Park, urging Glasgow city council to install lighting along main routes in the city's parks.

The local authority initially told us parks would not be lit up, because of environmental concerns, and because they are not meant to be used at night.

However, urban planners from Barton Willmore and lighting experts from Arup say it is possible to light up public spaces without disruption to wildlife.

Overcoming challenges

Mr Harvie said: "There have been times in the past when there's been real concern about the environmental impact, but I think it has been shown now that we can overcome those challenges.

"I think we should listen to the experts, and listen to those who are looking after our parks, and making sure that the biodiversity and wildlife are thriving, but our parks also need to be safe and enjoyable places that people can use, and feel confident doing so.

"I think #LightTheWay is a really important campaign, not just to make sure that our parks are the safe places that people need them to be, but also to encourage people to use them more."

Calls for a U-turn

The council's position has also come under fire from leading women's safety campaigners including the Chief Executive of Rape Crisis Scotland Sandy Bindley.

"It's the least we can expect from our public authorities to take reasonable steps to make places safe, particularly for women, when we are going about our business,” she told us.

"We're not talking about going into parks at midnight, but this is Scotland in the winter where it is dark from about 4pm.

"Is the council really saying that public spaces should be no-go areas for women outwith working hours? I think that's unacceptable."

Get involved

Hundreds of people are set to gather in Kelvingrove Park this week, demanding Glasgow City Council do more to keep them safe at night.

The demonstration will be held in the park on Friday December 10th at 6pm, at the Stewart Memorial Fountain, and will bring people from across the city together to call for improved lighting in city parks and highlight the safety concerns of women and groups across Glasgow.

You can also show your support by tweeting using the #LightTheWay.

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