Barriers have been put up to try to stop antisocial louts speeding along a path in Oxford on motorbikes and mini-motorbikes.

The city council has spent £5,965 on four galvanised steel barriers for Blackberry Path, in Blackbird Leys.

The path is used by families from Greater Leys walking to Blackbird Leys to catch buses.

But it had became a favourite hangout for teenagers, who would steal vehicles and then ride along it at top speed. Last week, the four white barriers were installed at the request of Blackbird Leys Parish Council and city councillor Rae Humberstone.

The obstacles have been placed at staggered points along the path, which runs between Watlington Road and Hawlings Row, to stop anyone on a bike building up speed.

Parish council chairman Gordon Roper said: “It will mean the motorbike riders will have to slow down — they can’t just speed straight through.

“This will make it safer. There’s no fear now of a motorbike coming speeding down.”

David Troth’s Staffordshire bull terrier Jazz was blinded after she was run over by a motorbike in Blackberry Lane.

Mr Troth, 46, of Deer Walk, Greater Leys, has been campaigning against the antisocial bikers since the incident in 2006.

He told the Oxford Mail neighbours had complained about the noise of the motorbikes, and added: “There have always been motorbikes up round there. They ride stolen bikes and then burn them out.

“This is a very good idea, because they come shooting down there and straight across Grenoble Road.

“I just hope it works — they have put gates up in other areas and the kids have worked around them.”

Shaun Hatton, the council’s streetscene area manager, said: “These barriers have been put in to help reduce antisocial behaviour associated with motorcycles being ridden along Blackberry Path.

“We have listened to the concerns of the parish council and have worked with them to tackle the problem.”