The rollout of solar lighting on footpaths and cycleways in parts of Armidale – which has resulted in a reduction of crime in these areas – will continue with 46 solar powered lights installed from Niagara Street through to Elm Avenue.
Armidale Regional Council (ARC) successfully delivered Stage 1 of the Armidale Pedestrian and Bicycle Link Safety Lighting Project in 2020 which saw solar lighting installed along the pedestrian/bicycle route from Markham Street through to just west of Niagara Street.
Stage 2 of the project has now begun, and the upcoming works could cause disruptions to sections of the footpath/cycleway between Niagara Street and Elm Avenue.
Fifteen of the new lights will have remote solar panels (the solar panels are not located directly on-top of the light pole) to preserve trees that are shading the area where the light pole will be installed.
Council has also engaged a highly qualified and experienced arborist to complete an inspection and arborist report to ensure that the locally heritage listed Elm trees were preserved during and after construction.
"Completion of Stage 1 of the project saw significant reductions in crime and 'fear of crime' as reported by the Armidale Police Crime Prevention Unit," said ARC Acting GM Annie Harris.
"The number of incidents were significantly less following the installation of the lighting, and general use of the path increased as members of the community felt safer to utilise the path at nighttime.
"Projects like this are vital to help our residents feel safer and more comfortable using pathways and bike tracks around Armidale. The fully funded second stage of these works will only improve the area for everyone to enjoy in the future."
A spokesperson from the Armidale Neighbourhood Watch Community Group said they applauded the work that had been carried out on the Bicycle Link Safety Lighting Project so far.
"We have advocated on behalf of the entire community for the project and Stage 1 has had a positive impact on the community socially and from a criminal offence perspective but there is still some way to go," said the spokesperson.
"The community are now returning to an area that was classified as a 'No Go Zone'. The families are back with their children on push bikes, prams, walkers (walking groups) runners, students and visitors."
A spokesperson for the New England Police District (crime prevention) was in strong support of Stage 2 of the project saying the project had reduced crime and fear in the community and in that particular area.
