Oxford’s LTN bollards attacked 20 times in three weeks

VANDALS have set fire to low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN) bollards amid frustration over the introduction of the eco-friendly scheme.

Residents say the bollards, in Howard Street, Oxford, have been vandalised 20 times in three weeks.

One person was captured on CCTV setting the bollards alight, another was seen ripping them out of the ground, and numerous car and van drivers were filmed ploughing through them.

The controversial traffic calming measures have been installed across the city by Oxfordshire County Council as part of the LTN scheme.

The LTNs are designed to stop motorists using residential roads as rat-runs and to encourage walking and cycling.

The council was forced to spend £100,000 replacing the plastic bollards with steel versions following the “unprecedented levels of vandalism”.

Josie Proctor, a mother who lives on Howard Street, said: “My main concern is that by vandalising bollards they put vulnerable road users like kids cycling to school in danger as they don’t expect

‘These mindless thugs have cost taxpayers £100,000 to replace the barriers with steel bollards’

a car barrelling towards them where they expected a filter.

“I’ve seen so many near misses – it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

“I recognise the LTNs are a contentious issue. But these mindless thugs have cost taxpayers £100,000 to replace the barriers with steel bollards and many hours of police and council workers’ time which could be better used.

“We’re really pleased that councillors are installing steel bollards that will be much harder to destroy, but we’d like to see some official cameras installed that could catch and fine those that flout the rules and the thugs that destroy public property and endanger lives.”

Oxford has one of the most ambitious LTN networks in the country, and the county council has brought in 20mph speed restrictions in several areas.

A council spokesperson said: “Damage to highways infrastructure presents a significant safety risk to all road users.

“Oxfordshire County Council is working closely with Thames Valley Police and with highways engineers to monitor and respond to the unprecedented level of incidents targeting LTN filters.”

A police spokesman said an investigation had been carried out into the vandalism, but it has been filed “pending further information”. He added: “We are also supporting Oxfordshire County Council to find solutions to the problems relating to LTNs.”