Monday May 25th 2026
Glasgow City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
Concerns over safety in Glasgow city private lanes continue after it has emerged that the council has no statutory duty to provide lighting.
Councillor Christy Mearns has been raising issues over safety as lanes have been the scenes of reported crimes.
A woman was allegedly raped in West Regent Lane on Saturday, May 16 and there have been further reports of crimes in Sauchiehall Lane.
Commenting on how the lanes, although private, are used by the public, City councillor Mearns said: “Many of the lanes in the city centre are well used. There is a duty of care.”
She said it is “unrealistic” for the council to provide lighting in all city lanes due to finances as it would put other services at risk.
But the Scottish Greens local politician called for the local authority to “look at some lanes” and have a coordinated plan and a developed policy instead of an ad hoc approach.
The LDRS asked the council about lighting in West Regent Lane.
The council confirmed West Regent Lane is privately owned and it has no obligation to provide lighting along the lane.
A spokesman said: “We do have a small number of lighting columns installed on West Regent Lane but we have received no reports of faults with these lamps over the past year.
“We will double check to ensure there are no issues, however.”
The council’s convenor for neighbourhood services and assets Laura Doherty set out the council’s approach to private lane lighting at last week’s full council meeting.
The council switches off or removes lighting when it reaches the end of its life.
Councillor Doherty said: “Lighting in private lanes is not a statutory responsibility of the council. However where lighting is present the council will continue to support its safe operation through minor electrical repairs and lantern replacement where that is practical.”
The SNP councillor added: “A full replacement of life expired columns in private lanes cannot be funded by the council as resources must be focused on the public road network where there is a legal duty and significant programme of renewal is under way. When lighting in private lanes reaches the end of its life or is assessed as unsafe the council will switch it off and remove it providing as much advanced notice as possible.”
She added how the council “will work constructively with technical advice and ongoing support for owners who wish to pursue new lighting”, pointing out guidance would be included on options and signposting to available funding to help with installation costs.
She was responding to a question Labour councillor Lilith Johnstone asking for clarification on the council’s policy on “maintaining or replacing street lighting in private lanes that are used for council services”.
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