NEW lights could be installed near Rose Hill Community Centre after concerns were raised about people's safety walking home at night.

Oxford City Council said it is exploring the option of lighting Carole's Way, which leads up to the community centre, after its opening hours were extended.

Terry Kirkby of the estate's tenants and residents committee said there was a need to make sure people felt safe when leaving the centre at night.

He said: "There is concern that the lighting in Carole's Way may well be a security problem.

"It is an issue that needs to be looked at.

"We generally approve of the extended opening hours and think it is good but issues have been raised with me about Carole's Way and also the pathway from the centre past the playing fields and onto Spencer Crescent.

"If staff come from that direction at 1am or 2am it is totally unlit and that is a cause for concern."

Earlier this month the city council's east area planning committee voted for the centre to open two hours earlier from Monday to Friday- from 7am rather than 9am.

They also backed a later closing time on Fridays and Saturdays from 11pm to midnight, which Mr Kirkby said meant staff would be leaving even later.

He said: "In Carole's Way there are cars so in the hours of darkness it is quite a dangerous street.

"At its junction with Ashhurst Way visibility for pedestrians is poor and if you are coming out in the dark it would make access even worse."

The city council confirmed it was going to examine the need for lighting in Carole's Way.

Spokesman Tom Jennings said: "The extended opening hours are a response to the growing needs of the local community.

"This will help enable a wider and more varied offer.

"We take safety and security very seriously and the centre has fully trained staff and CCTV in place.

"The centre has lighting on the outside of the building that lights the immediate vicinity.

"The road leading up to the centre is currently unlit and we are currently exploring the feasibility of road lighting in this area."

When the application for extended opening hours was put forward city council planning officer Caroline Longman said enough people would be leaving the centre at once late at night to "encourage natural surveillance of this area."

It is also hoped that the new opening hours might lead to the playing fields behind the centre being redeveloped and to more activities being offered there.

Rose Hill city councillor Ed Turner said: "I have so far not received any comments about the adequacy of lighting, but I am sure the council would be happy to look into this, in order to reassure users of the centre."