Low traffic neighbourhood bollards in east Oxford to be replaced
Plastic bollards installed as a part of the experimental low traffic neighbourhoods (LTN) scheme in east Oxford are to be replaced by steel ones, Oxfordshire County Council has announced.
Funding of £100,000 has been allocated to install new steel bollards at all LTN filter sites in east Oxford. Oxfordshire County Council has consulted with emergency services and kept them informed of decisions.
The decision was made following unprecedented levels of vandalism to the plastic bollards initially installed as a part of the trial. The steel bollards will continue to allow exempt vehicles to pass through.
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.”
Supply and installation of the steel bollards is expected to take up to twelve weeks, during which time Oxfordshire County Council will continue to replace damaged or removed bollards.
Anyone can share their views on the east Oxford LTN trial by completing the consultation survey before the end of this month, or by contacting the team by email. All feedback received will help to inform the decision made by the Council on whether to make the trial filters permanent.
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For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk