Pressure to kick out the county's highways chief has intensified over the last few weeks with posters popping up around Oxford as well as online groups being created.
Cabinet member for transport management on Oxfordshire County Council, Andrew Gant, has become the subject of much hatred and discontent from householders who disagree with the council's controversial transport policies.
New posters in areas of Cowley and east Oxford are the latest sign of resistance against what some are describing as a "dismissive" councillor.
But others such as long-serving Labour councillor Duncan Enright have criticised the attacks on Mr Gant, who he described as "someone doing his best for Oxfordshire".
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Mr Gant has continued to say he will introduce a traffic filters trial and endorse LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods).
He has also been accused of not listening to dissatisfied residents.
The traffic filters trial will see six roads in Oxford cut off to private cars which the council hopes will "reduce congestion".
LTNs were introduced in Oxford in May 2022 with the aim of making streets safer but have since proved controversial and have been blamed for increasing congestion.
Posters state: "What do you call a privileged, selfish, self-opinionated, arrogant fool with no idea about traffic management? - A complete Gant".
A new Facebook group, also started this month, called 'Get Gant Gone 2025', has more than 430 members and it includes posts such as one which reads: "If all the idiots in all the villages left their villages and formed their own village of idiots. In that village you would be the village idiot".
Conservative county councillor Liam Walker, who has been a vocal critic of the transport policies, said: "I am not surprised to see such a public backlash against the guy who continues to press ahead with anti-motorist schemes with no care for the impact of his decisions.
"He is deeply unpopular in Oxford and across Oxfordshire and even by colleagues in the council chamber."
Independent Temple Cowley councillor Saj Malik, who has also been a vocal critic of transport policies, said: "Mr Gant has brought this upon himself.
"He is out of touch with the general public.
"I have no sympathy with him – if you make a decision which is unpopular you get the criticism."
Mr Malik went on to say he had signed a petition calling on Mr Gant to be removed from public office, set up by Rose Hill & Iffley Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) councillor David Henwood.
This petition describes Mr Gant's approach to governance as "autocratic".
There was also a petition set up by Cowley Road trader Amir Steve Ali in April this year which called on Mr Gant to resign, amassing more than 1,300 signatures.
Long-serving Labour councillor Duncan Enright suggested he was not a fan of the "personal attacks".
Mr Enright said: "While I might disagree with councillor Gant on a number of issues, such as how to harness the day to day experience of Oxfordshire residents in cutting traffic on our roads and getting buses moving freely around the county, I deplore the personal attacks on someone who is doing his best for Oxfordshire and should not be subject to personal attacks of this nature.
"If you want to get Labour councillors who listen and learn, do it through the ballot box."
Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman responded to the criticism as Mr Gant is away on annual leave.
The Liberal Democrat said: “There are always going to be differences of opinion and views to be aired and that’s to be encouraged in a free, open and democratic society.
"However the large majority of people would always wish for that discourse to be civilised and polite while avoiding becoming overly personal.”
Mr Gant has been contacted.
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About the author
Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county.
She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.
Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi
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