A whopping £12,000 has been spent by Oxfordshire County Council on repairs to bollards and planters in the new East Oxford LTN scheme since its installation a month ago.
The Low Traffic Neighbourhoods trial – which sees through-traffic blocked from residential streets – was extended to the Divinity Road, St Clement's and St Mary's areas, off Cowley Road, just four weeks ago, on May 20.
Since then there have been reports of repeated vandalism of planters and bollards have been knocked down or pulled out of the ground by opponents of the scheme who feel they have been ignored.
But county highways boss Andrew Gant, the council's cabinet member for highways management, has pledged to keep replacing them.
A council spokesperson said: "We remain committed to making safe and reinstating damaged filters – each time at significant cost to the taxpayer."
The LTNs have fiercely divided opinion with some residents saying they make streets safer and more pleasant while critics say they offset traffic and have harmed local businesses. Many traders have opposed the scheme with some saying they have been forced to close as a result.
After a bollard was removed from Howard Street a group made up of East Oxford cyclists and members of the Oxford Pedestrians Association acted as 'human bollards' to try to stop traffic getting through.
The group said the bollards, reportedly designed to be knocked down by emergency vehicles speeding to 999 calls, had been repeatedly removed and the no entry signs stripped from heavy wooden-framed planters.
County councillor Damian Haywood, who represents St Mary's and Iffley Fields, said he did not know that was the figure but it was "shocking and disgraceful" that people were vandalising the LTNs "that were agreed by the county council in legislation and enacted on a trial basis".
He said he was talking today to the local inspector of Thames Valley Police about what could be done to discourage it.
He added: "It's very disappointing that we have to spend that sort of money when it could be spent on other things that are more worthwhile."
He urged everyone to take part in the council's consultation over its future.
Community activist Amir Steve Ali, who stood as an independent candidate in St Clement's in the local elections, said: "Basically that's taxpayers' money being wasted which is not good, whether you are pro or anti-LTNs. It is pouring £12,000 down the drain. After all, how do we know those bollards are not going to go again?
"As I drive around I see a lot of bollards have been removed and most have been replaced. It's certainly not worth replacing them though. Maybe they should have metal bollards instead or use cameras."
He added: "Yes, I'm anti-LTN but, at the same time, I'm against anyone breaking the law. If you want them removed, do it the proper way."
Mr Gant has urged people to give the East Oxford LTN scheme time to settle, but acknowledged some residents' frustration at the changes.
He said: "The effect that cars have on our climate, combined with the levels of congestion we currently experience across the county, mean that the status quo is not an option."
He added: "Work is ongoing to monitor the progress of the measures and we will ensure that information about alternative routes is readily available.
"I would encourage people to give this time, work with us to make recommendations for improvements, and above all fill in the consultation survey so that your feedback is heard.
"These are experimental measures that are being trialled and we welcome all views to help us deliver the right outcome for our communities."
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "We are responding to a number of reports of vandalism impacting the trial east Oxford LTNs – mostly relating to bollards which have been knocked down or pulled from the ground.
"At present, we are focusing on replacing bollards on Leopold Street, Rectory Road, Southfield Road and Divinity Road.
"This damage is obviously something we take very seriously, as it presents a significant safety risk to road users, pedestrians and cyclists alike.
"We remain committed to making safe and reinstating damaged filters, each time at significant cost to the taxpayer. Since May 20, when they were originally installed, this amounts to almost £12,000.
"We would once again encourage everyone who wishes to express an opinion on the measures to do so by responding to the council's public consultation at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/east-oxford-ltns-2022
The first LTNs were introduced in Church Cowley, Temple Cowley and Florence Park in March 2021 with relatively little opposition.
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