OXFORDSHIRE County Council is to spend £100,000 to replace vandalised bollards installed as part of its Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme.

The divisive initiative, which has seen roads in East Oxford and Cowley blocked off at one end, prevents through traffic via planters or bollards, making neighbourhoods quieter. 

The plastic bollards in East Oxford will be replaced by steel ones after ‘unprecedented levels of vandalism’.

READ MORE: Calls to scrap Oxford LTNs over 'false figures' hit dead end

Councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for highways management said: “This is a key moment in the continuation of the LTN trial in east Oxford.

“Ongoing damage has come at a significant cost to both the council and Thames Valley Police in both time and money, with potentially serious consequences for people’s safety.

“Damage to the bollards and persistent use of the low traffic neighbourhood streets as through-roads is not only a risk for the safety of road users but impacts monitoring data quality, which could delay the decision on the trial.”

Rob MacDougall, chief fire officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The Fire and Rescue service is aware of the plans to replace the existing plastic bollards for the east Oxford LTNs with steel ones.

“Emergency services will still be able to remove these metal bollards to gain access when needed. When the existing bollards have been damaged by being driven over or vandalism to the locking mechanism, it has taken up valuable time when we have needed to gain access.”

Emergency services were consulted as part of the decision and the new bollards will continue to allow exempt vehicles to pass through.

The council expects to take up to twelve weeks to replace the bollards.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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