Inside 'worst place to walk in the UK' where people feel unsafe in the dark

23 October 2023 , 15:58

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An underpass in Vauxhall, Liverpool (Image: Liverpool Echo)

A public area full of cracked pavements and no streetlights in one the the UK's major cities has been described as the country's 'worst' place to walk.

A recent report by a national walking organisation rated the parliamentary constituency of Liverpool Riverside in the south of Liverpool, Merseyside as the worst for walkways in England and Wales. Ramblers conducted the study by looking at more than 140,000 miles of public rights of way and found the city as a whole was among the bottom five authorities.

Liverpool Riverside is an eclectic constituency covering the affluent southern suburbs of the city, including Aigburth and Cressington, Liverpool's most notable landmarks such as the Liver and Cunard buildings and the sprawling Albert Docks complete with modern bars and restaurants. But it also includes deprived wards just north of the city centre, reports Liverpool Echo.

A footpath in the Vauxhall area of Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)

The Ramblers' report highlighted an 'imbalance between the number of paths available to the most and least deprived communities,' and suggested an area such as Vauxhall could most benefit from improved public pathways. The report also added that 'public rights of way' networks 'not only provide the infrastructure for walking and a healthier life, but also create and foster the connection between people, nature and history'.

Liverpool Echo reporter Patrick Edrich visited the area himself to see how connected communities are if they only travel on foot. He said: "Walking down Scotland Road on a Thursday morning, I am just one of a handful of people using the public footpaths.

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More than 140,000 miles of public rights of way were looked at in the study by Ramblers (Liverpool Echo)

"Two elderly women walk in front of me, slowly pulling along shopping trolleys. On the other side of the road, two people - a middle aged man and younger woman - pick up what looks to be a cigarette butt off the floor. In contrast, thousands of people speed past using the dual carriageway that provides one of the key gateways into the city centre.

"However, the road itself, and the proximity of it to the footpath, provide an immediate danger, particularly when crossing the road. The last time I was on Scotland Road was to cover the tragic death of Nicole Cummings - a rough sleeper who was killed following a crash involving a lorry on the junction of Wilbraham Street."

Liverpool city as a whole was among the bottom five authorities in the study (Liverpool Echo)

At the time, the manager of the Picture House hotel, Carol O'Brien, told Patrick the road was "so dangerous". She said: "My sister in law got knocked over on the road when she was 12. She's now 63, so we're talking 50 years ago.

"The road hasn't changed - there are just more cars. I always say to any of our guests who want to walk into town, just walk straight down, but do me a favour and cross at the lights and walk on the opposite side."

Patrick went on: "To avoid a dangerous road crossing, you face two options - a walk through a dingy, unlit underpass, or a significant detour that takes you on the raised path over the top of the entrance to the Kingsway Tunnel. A walk through an underpass instantly provides a number of issues.

"It is dark, dingy and smells strongly of urine. Rubbish litters the floor and graffiti of varying quality lines the walls. Crime is evidently also an issue, with drug paraphernalia such as syringes and bags on the ground.

Evidence of crime was found along the streets of Liverpool Riverside (Liverpool Echo)

"However, a walk across the raised footpath provides different issues. The path, that leads away from Scotland Road before snaking back across the Kingsway Tunnel entrance, runs parallel to the dual carriageway. But the path is unlit which would put off a lot of walkers from taking the path. Add in the dog faeces and many would turn back to the underpass."

Jessica, 23, who only wanted to be known by her first name, told Patrick she faces the daily challenge when she walks from her Vauxhall home to her retail job in the city centre. She said how if she finishes work late, particularly in the winter, she will ride the bus home instead of walking on her own because she "wouldn't feel safe".

At a bus stop further up the road, Anne, a 73-year-old pensioner, added: "I'm only going further up the road but I do not want to do the walk. It's only five minutes on the bus but it's better than walking."

Patrick said the issues mentioned are not limited to the area around Scotland Road. Jack Cornish, who conducted the research for the Ramblers' report, told him: "We found the more deprived areas, even if they are in the countryside, have a lack of infrastructure. That was a really clear trend.

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"Liverpool is obviously a very urbanised city. It doesn't have much access to public rights of way. That's not just limited to Liverpool but also extends to Knowsley and Sefton as well. It's worth pointing out that you can't just make country walks in the city.

"But more can be done to make places pleasant to walk around. Trees can be planted, they can have proper lighting, there can be community art, or the area can be pedestrianised. More active travel like walking and cycling should be promoted.

"It's a real issue of social justice. Everyone should have the opportunity to go out and walk around easily." In July this year, Liverpool City Council signed off on nearly £11m of funding to build three cycle paths and improve footways and pedestrian crossing facilities.

Councillor Dan Barrington, cabinet member for transport and connectivity, said: "As I’ve said repeatedly on the issue of cycling and active travel, Liverpool’s offer is far from complete but we know what the missing pieces are to complete this jigsaw. Our challenge now is to make the case to accelerate our efforts and transform Liverpool as a cycle and walk-friendly city, and not just in the city centre, but right across our neighbourhoods and for the benefit of all ages and abilities. If we are to tackle climate change, then sitting back and doing nothing is not an option."

Patrick Edrich