Action to make footpath safer following serious assault

Hastings Borough Councillors with competition winners Sam Evans and Abi Baker and Ed Clarke Ark Helenswood and John Whittington the councils Community Safety Manager SUS-160507-133804001

Following the incident on the footpath from Sandrock Park entrance to St Helens Church in January, Hastings Borough councillors and officers, Ark Helenswood Academy and the police agreed urgent action needed to be taken.

Over the years, a number of incidents have occurred on this footpath and the serious attack this year prompted a review of the area and a plan to address safety issues.

Overgrown vegetation was cut back at the entrances to the footpath using probation community payback, a fence was erected along part of the footpath to block a gap and Ark Helenswood Academy ran a school competition to design signs to encourage safety on the footpath.

Cllr Warren Davies, the council’s lead member for the environment, said: “Working together with the police, Safer Hastings Partnership, fellow councillors and Ark Helenswood academy we are delighted to see the new signs, designed by students, now in place along the footpath.

“We have been very concerned about the safety of pedestrians on this footpath but with the measures now taken and the installation of a CCTV camera and increased patrols by the police we are confident that the Sandrock footpath is much safer.

“Congratulations must go to Sam Evans and Abi Baker whose winning design was used for the new signs and our thanks must also go to all partners that have been involved with ensuring the future safety of pedestrians in this area.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/ 2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hastingsobserver

3) Follow us on Twitter @HastingsObs

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Hastings Observer - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.