A NOTORIOUS lane used by thousands of students daily to reach the University of York has received a security boost - thanks to new lighting.

Extensive bright lights have been installed along Retreat Lane, which runs from Heslington Road, through land owned by The Retreat Hospital, and on to the campus, to increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists who use the secluded route.

A sign advising students not to walk along the lane at night has been in place near the university end of the shortcut for several years following a number of incidents in the area.

In June 1997, a young woman was sexually assaulted as she walked with a friend and another was attacked in March 1999.

Ken Batten, security manager at the university, said: "The Retreat Lane forms a major public route into the city, and it's important that everyone who walks or cycles here feels safe."

The lighting upgrade has been undertaken with the help of a £1,000 grant from the city's Voluntary Crime Prevention Panel, which wound up its operations recently after 25 years.

Bob Wood, former chairman, said the award was one of three donations made with the remaining funds held by the organisation before it became part of the Safer York Partnership.

"We wanted to benefit the wider community and also students in the city, and it was evident that neither we nor the university could fund this alone," he said.

Ange Cheyne, York University Students' Union education and welfare officer, said she was delighted to see new lighting in place, but urged students to continue to exercise caution when walking around at night.

"I would advise that people try and stay with groups of friends or take advantage of safety measures offered at the university such as the escort service and taxi fund," she said.

Ange said the students' union would also like to see improved lighting on Walmgate Stray, a route used by many students to reach Fulford.

"Some people have argued that improving the lighting along that route would encourage people to use it, but despite advising our students against it, they still take that route.

"We would like to ensure they are as safe as possible if they chose to do so."

Updated: 10:43 Friday, November 07, 2003