Light The Way: Senior Glasgow councillor pledges to look at ways of lighting up parks
Campaigners, charity leaders, business owners and officers have been discussing ways of lighting key routes during a meeting hosted by our reporter Callum McQuade.
Last updated 2nd Oct 2023
A senior Glasgow councillor is pledging to look at ways of accelerating plans to light up Kelvingrove, Cranhill and Queen's Park at night time.
Campaigners, charity leaders, business owners and officers met for a special event at Glasgow Caledonian University hosted by our reporter Callum McQuade.
Convener for Neighbourhood Services Ruairi Kelly told Greatest Hits Radio: "I think when we leave here we will take a look at the pilot areas and what work could be value engineered so we have something that can be installed more quickly.
"Rather than looking at the all singing all dancing option we could fit something which is more affordable to give people an idea of how it could work on a temporary basis before permanent fittings."
Attendees signed a pledge at the end of the town hall meeting to promise to do their bit to fight for lights in parks.
Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney has supported the Light The Way campaign since it was launched in 2021.
He said: "Cat's eyes cost less than £10 each and so for less than £50,000 you could get 15km worth of routeway illuminated without installing flood lights.
"Key thoroughfares through the city's parks such as the route from Sauchiehall Street past the Stewart Memorial Fountain and on to Gibson Street need to be made more accessible."
However, not everyone at the meeting was enthusiastic about fitting lights in parks.
Kevin Scott does walking tours around Glasgow and said: "Lighting the parks at night could attract more teenagers who are drinking and leaving smashed glass for others to deal with the next day.
"I do not understand why people would want to use parks at 8 o'clock on a wet and cold night when there is plenty of time to use them during the daylight."
You can hear more about the campaign on-air all this week.