UPROAR has been heard from labour councillors on the LTN debate after the public removed bollards less than 24 hours after they had been installed.
The roadblocks were installed on May 21 as part of a six month Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) trial taking place in the Divinity Road, St Clement’s, and St Mary’s areas.
Oxfordshire County Councillor Damian Hayward, for Iffley Fields & St Mary's, expressed his frustration at the LTNs being removed.
READ MORE: Traffic 'carnage' after LTN rollout but some business owners are optimistic
Labour and co-operative councillor Mr Hayward tweeted: "So half of the Bollards in East Oxford have been ripped out, and people have taken power tools to the planters to try and remove them.
"I am absolutely fed up with a culture that demands we drive everywhere and encourages vandalism to maintain this."
READ MORE: 'People are angry': LTN smashed down on its first day standing
Coming from a different perspective, Labour Oxford City Councillor Linda Smith, who represents Lye Valley, described the trials as 'rushed'.
She tweeted: "Cowley Road is gridlocked and bus journeys home from town for residents in Lye Valley are delayed by an hour.
"Did anyone reasonably expect any other result from the rushed LTN experiments?"
So half of the Bollards in East Oxford have been ripped out, and people have taken power tools to the planters to try and remove them. I am absolutely fed up with a culture that demands we drive everywhere and encourages vandalism to maintain this.
— Cllr Damian Haywood 💙 🌹 (@bigdamo) May 21, 2022
READ MORE: Cowley councillor denies traffic chaos is caused by new LTNS
Labour Rose Hill & Iffley councillor Shaista Aziz retweeted Ms Smith's comment adding: "Terrible and totally avoidable. LTN’s have become divisive issue - pitting people and communities against each other along class and economic lines.
"Transport & environment policy needs to focus on tackling inequalities and bringing people together. A better strategy is needed."
Terrible and totally avoidable.
— Shaista Aziz 💙 (@shaistaAziz) May 20, 2022
LTN’s have become divisive issue - pitting people and communities against each other along class and economic lines. Transport & environment policy needs to focus on tackling inequalities and bringing people together. A better strategy is needed. https://t.co/CSZ53dpOJN
Read more from this author
This story was written by Shosha Adie.
She joined the team in 2022 as a digital reporter.
To get in touch with her email: Shosha.Adie@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter: @ShoshaAdie
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What do you think about the new East Oxford LTNs?
Barriers have been installed as part of a six month Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) trial in East Oxford set up by Oxfordshire County Council. The six-month trial started on Friday, May 20 and takes place in the Divinity Road, St Clement's, and St Mary's areas. People have been divided over the measures to ease traffic in the area. What do you think about it?
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