Chris Ames 22 June 2022

Council urges calm as LTN wars break out

Council urges calm as LTN wars break out image
Image: Ginny Sturdy/ Shutterstock.com.

Oxfordshire County Council has urged residents and road users ‘to engage constructively’ with its consultation on trial low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) after vandalism costing £12,000 in two months.

The council said damage to traffic filters around east Oxford, as well as the Cowley area where trial LTNs were installed in 2021, is creating significant safety concerns, as well as a substantial cost to the taxpayer. The cost of damage to bollards and planters has now topped £12,000 since the measures were launched on 20 May.

It said it will continue to make safe and reinstate all damaged bollards that have been forcibly knocked down or uprooted and is currently in the process of replacing filters on a number of roads.

Andrew Gant, cabinet member for highways management, said: ‘The damage that has been done has not only created confusion and increased the risk of traffic incidents, but it may also prevent emergency services being able to gain access if the mechanisms allowing the bollards to be lowered are impacted.'

He added: ‘I understand that some community members are voluntarily creating human barriers to vehicles trying to enter LTN areas through damaged filters. But I would again urge that people are mindful of their own safety and wait for bollards to be restored where they have been removed.

‘We are committed to listening to all views on these experimental measures and the right way to make your voice heard is to take part in our public consultation.’

The council said the aim of LTNs, where motorised traffic is prevented from taking shortcuts through a residential area by traffic filters, is to create quieter and safer streets which have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of local residents and encourage people to make more local journeys by bus, by cycle or on foot.

This article was originally published by Transport Network.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Procurement Category Manager

Wakefield Council
£49,764.00 to £52,805.00, Grade 12
Do you want to become a member of a successful Corporate Procurement Team Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recovery Support Worker

Wakefield Council
Grade 7 - Grade 8, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Join a first of its kind specialist children’s home that has just been rated as Outstanding by Ofsted 2 years running. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Children's Residential Worker

Wakefield Council
£31,067.00 - £33,366.00, Grade 7, 37 hours, Permanent
We are looking for a Full Time Children's Residential Workers to join our team. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £37,035 per annum
Are you a Maintenance Operative looking to further develop your skills and experience Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Bricklayer Maintenance Operative

North Yorkshire Council
£28,163 - £30,559
Are you a qualified Bricklayer looking to expand your skills in a rewarding maintenance role? Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner