Student route from town to campus 'refreshed'

3 hours ago

Alex PopeNorthamptonshire

News image — Student Route signs feature on posts from Northampton town centre to the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus

West Northamptonshire Council A student route sign, in black and green on a post with trees all around it. There are people walking along a path to the left and a wooden fence. Cars are in the distance. — Student Route signs feature on posts from Northampton town centre to the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus

A route to help students find the safest and most well-lit route home to their campus has been refreshed, a council has said.

The Student Route, from the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus to the town centre, has been in place for a number of years.

The upgrade comes after students raised concerns about safety in December due to a lack of lighting and visible security cameras on the route.

West Northamptonshire Council said that, along with the police, the university, and the police, fire and crime commissioner, it had helped "create a safe and welcoming night-time environment for students living and studying in the town".

West Northamptonshire Council A Student Route sign on a lamp post outside the Guildhall in Northampton, which is a large stone gothic style building. It has lots of small windows, stone carvings and light colour bricks. — Councillor Charlie Hastie said the route was a "great example of local organisations working together to support student safety and wellbeing"

The council said that during the summer it had been updated "with new route markers in place and an updated map available for download".

Reform UK councillor Charlie Hastie, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "We want Northampton to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone."

He added it gave students a clear, recognised way of travelling which would help them "feel more confident when making their way home after a night out".

Danielle Stone, Labour's Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: "Creating safer public spaces is a real priority for me and I hope this initiative will help students feel confident and comfortable when they are here."

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