PLANS may be afoot to improve an Oxford park which has been the subject of safety concerns for nearly a decade.

People have walked through Spindleberry Park to get between Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys ever since Oxford City Council installed a bridge over the Northfield Brook in 2003 to connect the areas.

But councillors are concerned residents may be risking their safety at night by using the unlit Spindleberry Walk path through the nature reserve.

The issue was discussed by Blackbird Leys Parish Council at a recent meeting.

City and county councillor Val Smith told the meeting she believed there was a need for lighting through the park.

She said: “It’s a concern which I think needs addressing. People from Greater Leys are using the park to get to buses in Blackbird Leys.

“I’m worried about them going down there.

“Nothing has happened yet but it’s very dark.”

She added: “The bus services in Greater Leys are really poor at night, so people feel they have no choice.”

In 2010, families living near the path also raised concerns about noise from people walking along it late it at night and potential drug dealing.

The nature park is next to Frys Hill Park, which Oxford City Council plans to spruce up soon and which will feature a new skate park.

The city council’s executive member for parks, Mark Lygo, told the Oxford Mail that he was committed to improving Spindleberry Park, including installing lights along the footpath.

He said: “This is something which is on the cards and something we’re having meetings about at the moment.

“It’s in the very early stages and these things can take a long time to get started.”

He added: “We would want to engage the whole community with this project.”

rpope@oxfordmail.co.uk