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'Footpath users are victims waiting to happen'

BBC Eliza Whitaker standing in front of trees, looking past the camera. It appears to be duskBBC
Eliza Whitaker says people walking along Spark Mill Lane are "victims waiting to happen"

Concerns have been raised that an unlit, muddy and potholed footpath connecting new housing to a town centre is unsafe to walk at night.

There is a campaign to get street lights and new paving installed along Spark Mill Lane in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

"If you've got a long lane and it's dark and you're walking down here by yourself, you're just a victim waiting to happen," said town councillor Eliza Whitaker.

However, she said the issue was difficult to tackle as much of the footpath fell outside the responsibility of any council or housing developer.

A smiling man with a short beard smiling at the camera at dusk. There are trees in the background
Tom Astell is campaigning for street lighting along Spark Mill Lane

A spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) said it was not responsible for installing lighting, and it was down to town or parish councils to do so.

Woodmansey Parish Council told the BBC it had been advised by ERYC that, as the footpath was on private land, there were no plans to adopt it and provide utilities such as street lighting and paving.

Bovis Homes said it was responsible for maintaining about a quarter of Spark Mill Lane, "cutting hedges, removing any obstructions and repairing potholes".

It added: "We want to work with all parties responsible for the bridleway to ensure it is maintained to an appropriate standard."

Strata Homes, another developer of homes in the area, said: "Strata, along with Bovis have some responsibility for maintaining a sections of the bridleway.

"We want to work with all parties responsible for the bridleway to ensure it is maintained to an appropriate standard and are happy to explore options for improvements."

Tom Astell, another town councillor, said: "We don't mind who sorts it out, as long as it gets sorted out for the residents."

A young man smiles at the camera at twilight in Spark Mill Lane
Reece Emanuel bought a torch after almost twisting his ankle in potholes

Beverley Parklands resident John Clay said he was uncomfortable letting his wife walk alone in the lane after dark.

"On my own, I'm OK. But if my wife has been in town and it's dark I always come to meet her," he said.

Another user of the path, Reece Emanuel, said the lack of lighting made the uneven surfaces more dangerous.

"I've had plenty of times where I've almost done my ankle in," he said.

"I actually bought a little torch to bring down with me."

There are high walls and fences on both sides of the path. There are trees in the foreground
Spark Mill Lane is enclosed on both sides

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