Full Breakdown
New Guidance for Safer Streets: Addressing Women's Safety in the UK
3/25/2026, 7:55:34 AM
Survey Findings Highlight Safety Concerns
A recent survey commissioned by Active Travel England (Ate) revealed that nearly 90% of women in the UK feel unsafe walking at night. The poll, which surveyed 2,125 adults, found that 88% of female respondents reported feeling unsafe after dark, and 71% admitted to altering their routes to avoid walking in darkness. Key issues identified included inadequate lighting, poorly maintained routes, personal safety fears, and antisocial behavior.
Government Response and New Initiatives
In response to these alarming findings, Ate is set to provide new guidance to English councils aimed at enhancing street safety for women and girls. The guidance will emphasize the importance of well-designed street lighting and the establishment of walking routes alongside busy roads monitored by CCTV. Chris Boardman, Ate's national commissioner, described the survey results as “appalling,” highlighting the need for systemic changes to ensure women and girls can navigate their neighborhoods safely.
Boardman noted, “For too long, we have designed streets that don’t work for women and girls,” and expressed a commitment to help councils remove barriers that prevent safe walking and wheeling. The guidance will include examples of successful interventions from abroad, such as a scheme in Vigo, Spain, allowing women to request bus stops at any location along a route during nighttime.
Ongoing Initiatives Across England
Several towns and cities in England have already begun implementing measures to improve safety. Notable initiatives include the installation of 27 new CCTV cameras in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, and the creation of a designated safe walking route with enhanced visibility to Milton Keynes railway station. In Liverpool city center, the introduction of Halo Points—well-lit devices linked directly to emergency services—aims to provide additional safety for women.
Official Statements on the Issue
Local transport minister Lilian Greenwood acknowledged the survey results, stating, “just how much work there is to be done.” Home Office minister Jess Phillips characterized violence against women and girls as “a national emergency.” Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of the charity Living Streets, emphasized that neglecting women’s safety on streets can hinder their access to education, exercise, leisure, and employment opportunities.
Conclusion
The new guidance from Active Travel England, expected to be released later this year, aims to address the critical safety concerns highlighted by the survey. Training sessions for councils will commence in the spring, as part of a broader government ambition to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.
