THOUSANDS of pounds are to be spent to replace vandalised bollards installed in Oxford as part of the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods scheme, despite some residents claiming the measures are not what the communities need.

The divisive initiative, which has seen roads in East Oxford and Cowley blocked off at one end, has been the target of ‘unprecedented levels of vandalism’, according to Oxfordshire County Council.

The authority has decided to spend £100,000 to replace the plastic bollards in East Oxford with steel ones to prevent further damage.

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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.”

But some residents labelled the investment as a waste of money.

Majid Aslam said: “Surely if there's been continuous vandalism and damage to these bollards, it means that the residents and communities don't want these obstructions there.

“If local residents and police are not keeping on top of these crimes of vandalism, than this suggests that these LTN measures are not top priority for residents, communities and police and therefore should be dropped or even end the trial now and admit it was a very bad experiment.”

Jackie Boyce said: “LTNs are wrong on so many levels. I live on a street which used to be one way, it is now a two-way nightmare. Can't believe money was wasted on this as could have been spent on the potholes and uneven pavements.”

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Melanie Kelly-Faulkner said: “What a joke, to save money get rid of them as it’s obvious people don’t want them.”

The council said emergency services were consulted as part of the decision and that 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.

Rob MacDougall, chief fire officer for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The 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."

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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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