Call for more light on paths in Brownlow

Many feel the dark walkways in the area are intimidating and want more lighting to make the paths more user-friendly.

A group of 26 young people from the Brownlow area got together last September and following a consultation process 36 issues were identified which need to be addressed.

The young people set up the Brownlow Youth Safety Partnership in conjunction with Drumgor Detached Youth Work Project and Youth Safety partnership.

Megan Bell from the group said: “Everyone from this area uses the black paths regularly and in some areas they are pitch black. We just want to feel safe when we walk home on dark nights, especially in the winter when it gets dark really early.”

The aim of the event is to attract local people to the area at night to see how well lit and safe the area could be and also to have people sign a petition to have permanent lighting erected. The petition will then be presented to relevant agencies.

Joanne Shortall from DDWYP said. ‘The young people have been amazing after taking into consideration all the issues raised by local young people, from suicide to boredom they have come up with a range of responses and this event shows that these local young people are taking the whole community into consideration .”

Entitled ‘Help us Fight for Our Rights and Light up Our Nights’, everyone is invited to come along and sign petition.

“We have a self defence workshop, free food such as hot dogs and burgers plus goodie bags with safety alarms an other useful products,” said Joanne.

The talented Armagh Rhymers are also going to do a workshop on light and peace.

The event is this Thursday from 9-11pm and there will be arrows going from different parts of Brownlow to guide people on where to go to the event which is funded by the Big Lottery.