Issue - meetings

To consider a petition containing over 1,000 signatories received by the Council in respect of Fairland Valley Park Lighting.

The Council considered a petition containing over 1,000 signatories received by the Council in respect of Fairlands Valley Park Lighting.

The Lead Petitioner (Jennifer Huygen) addressed the Council.  Jennifer began by stating that the petition highlighted that there was a wide community need for the installation of wildlife-friendly lighting in Fairlands Valley Park (FVP).

Jennifer explained that paths in FVP were pitch dark in the evenings.  Users were unable to see the paths or the surrounding areas, and would be unaware of anyone approaching them until they had passed each other.  The edges of the paths were not visible, which increased the possibility of users slipping and sliding.  This was an unsafe situation for such a high usage facility.  For this reason, a number of potential users avoided the Park.

Jennifer advised that she was aware that FVP was more than just a place to be physically active.  She gave the testimonies of a number of other users of the Park who had provided her with reasons why they would not venture into the Park after dark.

Jennifer commented that the studio space next to Costello’s Café in the Park was used for dance classes.  The parents of the children using the facility told her that they did not feel comfortable walking through the Park, and hence rather than walk of cycle they travelled to and from by car.

Jennifer stated that the petition was supported not just be individuals, but also by local community organisations, including Cycling UK (Stevenage), Fairlands Valley Spartans Running Club and Stevenage Striders Running Club.  These organisations rarely used FVP during the winter months. However, she had learnt that they would consider using the Park more often in the winter if the lighting was improved.

Jennifer then read out statements in support of the petition from the Assistant Community Manager of Co-Space in the Town Centre and from Cycling UK (Stevenage).

Jennifer referred to the motion in response to the petition submitted by Councillor Simon Speller.  She stated that SBC prided itself on resident-led design, which was a key pillar of its Corporate Plan,  The petition was in line with that ambition, as increased usage of the Park would help the Council to achieve a number of priorities, including a modal shift towards active travel which in turn would help achieve Climate Change targets, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of the community. It would also help to address some of the parking issues around local schools, with more children being encouraged to walk.

Jennifer confirmed that the petition requested SBC to install lighting in a wildlife conscious way, and was not asking for the whole Park to be fitted with street lights.  Working with ecologists as part of the installation would be expected, in order to minimise disruption to wildlife.  Advancements in lighting solutions should make this possible.

Jennifer concluded her presentation by expressing the opinion that reflective lighting strips would not be enough to meet the requests of the petition.  She  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

The Council considered a petition containing over 1,000 signatories received by the Council in respect of Fairlands Valley Park Lighting.

The Lead Petitioner (Jennifer Huygen) addressed the Council.  Jennifer began by stating that the petition highlighted that there was a wide community need for the installation of wildlife-friendly lighting in Fairlands Valley Park (FVP).

Jennifer explained that paths in FVP were pitch dark in the evenings.  Users were unable to see the paths or the surrounding areas, and would be unaware of anyone approaching them until they had passed each other.  The edges of the paths were not visible, which increased the possibility of users slipping and sliding.  This was an unsafe situation for such a high usage facility.  For this reason, a number of potential users avoided the Park.

Jennifer advised that she was aware that FVP was more than just a place to be physically active.  She gave the testimonies of a number of other users of the Park who had provided her with reasons why they would not venture into the Park after dark.

Jennifer commented that the studio space next to Costello’s Café in the Park was used for dance classes.  The parents of the children using the facility told her that they did not feel comfortable walking through the Park, and hence rather than walk of cycle they travelled to and from by car.

Jennifer stated that the petition was supported not just be individuals, but also by local community organisations, including Cycling UK (Stevenage), Fairlands Valley Spartans Running Club and Stevenage Striders Running Club.  These organisations rarely used FVP during the winter months. However, she had learnt that they would consider using the Park more often in the winter if the lighting was improved.

Jennifer then read out statements in support of the petition from the Assistant Community Manager of Co-Space in the Town Centre and from Cycling UK (Stevenage).

Jennifer referred to the motion in response to the petition submitted by Councillor Simon Speller.  She stated that SBC prided itself on resident-led design, which was a key pillar of its Corporate Plan,  The petition was in line with that ambition, as increased usage of the Park would help the Council to achieve a number of priorities, including a modal shift towards active travel which in turn would help achieve Climate Change targets, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of the community. It would also help to address some of the parking issues around local schools, with more children being encouraged to walk.

Jennifer confirmed that the petition requested SBC to install lighting in a wildlife conscious way, and was not asking for the whole Park to be fitted with street lights.  Working with ecologists as part of the installation would be expected, in order to minimise disruption to wildlife.  Advancements in lighting solutions should make this possible.

Jennifer concluded her presentation by expressing the opinion that reflective lighting strips would not be enough to meet the requests of the petition.  She  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5