Cambridge City Council is launching a lighting trial on Parker’s Piece, in a bid to improve safety for people crossing the open space after dark.

The move comes in response to incidents in Parker’s Piece, especially during hours of darkness, and follows discussions with the police about how to improve people’s safety when using the footpaths after dark.

The trial will involve lighting the path from Parkside into the centre of the open space, known as “Reality Checkpoint”, and will last for four weeks.

Cllr Tim Bick, who is responsible for Community Safety on the City Council, said: “Parkers Piece is a major thoroughfare in the heart of the city and we would like people to feel safer using it after dark. There have been a number incidents reported to the police in the hours of darkness and many people, including student groups, have asked for us to do something to make it less of a place of concealment.”

The trial aims to explore both effectiveness and appearance and see what issues arise with this kind of scheme. After the trial, the equipment will be used elsewhere in the city.

The trial starts during the week of 28th of January and you can give your feedback on the idea by completing the short questionnaire on the Council’s website at www.cambridge.gov.uk/consultations. – just follow the link to Parker’s Piece.

The Council will assess the results of the trial before deciding whether to progress the scheme further.