Shipley MP Calls for Action to Make Bradford’s Parks and Streets Safer for Women and Girls
- Jan 28
- 2 min read
Shipley MP Anna Dixon has urged the government this week to increase support for local initiatives addressing violence against women and girls, highlighting new research indicating that nearly half of women surveyed in Myrtle Park, Bingley, do not feel safe after dark.
Speaking during the Westminster Hall debate on Women’s Safety on Tuesday, Ms Dixon said: “Violence against women and girls affects millions across the UK. It shapes what we say, what we wear and where we go. It is unacceptable that so many women feel unsafe walking, cycling or running in their own communities.”
National data from the Office for National Statistics shows that more than 15% of women and girls feel unsafe in parks even during the day. Local research by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the University of Leeds found that 48% of Myrtle Park users would not feel safe at night.
The Shipley MP went on to state that improving safety is not only a matter of basic rights but also of public health. “If we increased active travel by 50% in England, we could see 1.8 million fewer GP visits and 4 million fewer sick days. But women and girls can only take part in active travel if they feel safe doing so.”
Dixon also praised the work of West Yorkshire MP Tracy Brabin for leading the way with her Safety of Women and Girls strategy and the newly developed Safer Parks guidance. The guidance, trialled in Bradford last year, sets out practical steps to design parks that women feel confident using.
“The research shows that the most obvious solutions, like lighting a single path, don’t always make women feel safer,” she said. “Good design must be rooted in evidence, and we must address the different barriers faced by different groups. Parks that are well‑used and welcoming are parks where women feel safer.”
She also welcomed Bradford Council’s engagement on the issue, saying she recently met council officers, the Friends of Myrtle Park community group, and local councillor Susan Fricker to discuss concerns raised by women who use the park.
“Women and girls must feel confident on their bikes, in our parks, along our canals and on our greenways,” she added. “As we invest in new infrastructure, safety cannot be an afterthought.”
Dixon called on ministers to ensure councils have the funding and guidance they need to make public spaces safer across the country.
“Bradford and West Yorkshire are leading the way, now we need the national government to back these efforts so that every woman and girl can feel safe in the places we all share.”
