AIBU to feel uneasy walking through an isolated underpass to work?

[Wishingwell0]

Hi! Just looking to get a few opinions on this because I don’t know if I should just toughen up a bit!

I’ve got a new commute to a new job, and it’s in a place where parking is pretty tough, let alone free parking. Traffic is also a bit of a nightmare too.

im lucky that from the direction I’m coming in, it’s actually quieter, and there’s a residential area with free street parking which is on the side of town where my job is. It’s about a 15 minute walk from my car to work which is ideal

however it involves walking through a long underpass/tunnel. Surprisingly there aren’t many other commuters parking there so it’s often just me walking through there early morning/evening. I can’t shake off that the tunnel just feels a bit unsafe but I don’t know why. I’m not easily spooked, I go running at night and don’t get scared, but for some reason walking through the tunnel has me feeling so uneasy. I guess just because I’m usually there at the same time and it just feels very isolated? There are lights along the sides of the wall and it just has a bit of a creepy vibe because it’s so isolated. Can’t even think how long it would be but I guess only a few mins to walk through. But realistically it’s very rare there’s ever anyone hanging about- the residual area is a bit sketchy and a few times there’s been neds hanging around when I walk through at night but realistically they’ve been harmless and at the most asked if I had a lighter but that’s it😅 I don’t know why I feel so uneasy about it when nothing bad has happened but I just dread it

problem is, avoiding it would mean a much much longer walk all the way round- not the end of the world but not ideal. Should I just toughen up a bit? Has anyone else ever had any irrational worries like this? Thank you😅

I wouldn’t like this at all, sorry OP.

Are there any alternatives?

It's not irrational. It's self preservation. Listen to your instincts and find another route.

My woman's self defence instructor told me to never ignore my inner voice. It's there for a reason.

I paid a lot for that advice but give it to you for free! Stay safe!

It’s your instincts, listen to them. Women have these feelings based on millennia of experience. It’s what nature gave us to protect us. Chances could be that it would be fine, but I wouldn’t take the risk of the one time it might well not be. It sucks, but just a fact of life

I would walk the alternate route even though it is longer. Sounds like you're walking about a mile if it takes 15 minute. Adding the extra wouldn't add too much or you could get a basic bike (that fits in your car) and cycle it in 6 minutes.

I have walked in lanes and underpasses but like you, have felt uneasy as I was aware that there could be someone or a group lurking there and I'm on alert. You are not being unreasonable to feel uneasy.

The concern is the design of an underpass means you need to get to an end of the tunnel unlike above ground where you can change path or direction at any point. You are also less visible to passerby and unseen by passing traffic.

It's not an 'irrational' worry because in a tunnel you are more restricted for a getaway if needed, less people around to see/help you, more isolated generally. For women, these are all things that would make them feel at the least uneasy.

You're not wrong to feel uneasy. There has been far too much on the news lately I wouldn't risk going through an isolated underpass alone if there was an alternative route available.

Walk around if you don't like it, but complain to the council and make sure there are cameras. I used to walk across all the 'dangerous' roads rather than use a dingy graffiti written underpass short cut.

Another listen to your instincts. Not worth the risk imo. I have a very short underpass on my way to the leisure centre. I don’t use it after 4pm and always double check during the day in case anyone looks suspicious and it’s more like a widish bridge than an underpass.

Why do you think it’s irrational? I don’t understand why you would think that.

And it’s nothing to do with gut feelings or instincts or spidy senses. It’s just basic common sense.

I'd take the longer route.

Isolated underpass when you have an alternative?

I would just take the alternative. Stuff anyone who thinks it's weird.

I've lived on my own for 25 years. I'm single and I do pretty much everything on my own and always have

Your response to the isolated underpass is totally normal.

I would be taking the long way round, quiet long underpasses are scary. It would worry me knowing I had to use it twice a day.

A young lady I worked with a few years ago had to walk through a remote woodland pathway to get to work by the shortest route. Her solution to doing it alone and, occasionally in the dark, was to skip along it as a fast pace whilst signing some silly childhood song out loud.

She reckoned it would scare the nasty people away. She was right! She was not once accosted!

I wouldn't use it because you'd likely be walking there at roughly same time every morning and evening on your return to your car which could make you an easy target. If you were to be watched after a few weeks, you'd be putting yourself at risk. I agree with others and would use an alternative route.

This.

Not irrational at all.

I think its depends on the area really. I live in a city where I walk through underpasses regularly, some of them after dark and with no other people around. Not much choice if you don't want to be running across 60mph roads. There are some areas I am fairly happy to do this, others absolutely not
But if you feel uncomfortable and there is an alternative route, do that and think of it as bonus exercise

I think that’s fair. You have no escape routes, there are almost no passersby, and you’re out of view. It’s not irrational. It’s an obvious spot for a potential crime. There must be other streets you can park in with a similar-length walk.

Trust your instincts

I have a feeling you park where I do when I go shopping.
Is this in Glasgow by any chance?

Do take a look at the Personal Safety sections of

www.suzylamplugh.org

You may wish to get a personal alarm…..although if the underpass is isolated there may be no help available if you are attacked.

I would definitely take the longer way round to/from your car.

Could you ask your employer if they could assist with a parking/permit scheme?

Agree with others, definitely trust your instincts. I wouldn’t use the tunnel again. Where does everyone else park where you work? Even if you have to sit in traffic getting across town, that’s far far preferable surely than walking through a long underpass. You night even find a quicker walk the other side?

I wouldn’t like it either, get your trainers on, get a decent jacket for poor weather and use the walk to up your steps for the day.

I wouldn’t like this at all, I’d also be worried someone might be able to track my regular times when passing though. I’d take the longer walk around for sure. Better to be safe than sorry.

After a group (of essentially, children!) surrounded me on a secluded footbridge in the evening, took my stuff and pushed me to the floor, I’d be extremely wary. Worst thing was, I saw them up ahead and knew it felt dodgy but by that point couldn’t turn back. It really scarred me, although I wasn’t hurt.