Vandals set fire to poles for a low-traffic neighborhood (LTN) amid frustration over the introduction of the controversial scheme.
Residents say bollards in Howard Street, Oxford, have been vandalized 20 times in the past three weeks.
One man was caught on CCTV setting fire to the poles, another was seen pulling them out of the ground and numerous car and van drivers were filmed plowing through them.
The controversial traffic calming measures have been installed across the city by Oxfordshire County Council as part of the LTN scheme.
LTNs are designed to stop drivers using residential roads as rat holes and encourage walking and cycling.
“Only a matter of time” before someone gets hurt
The council was forced to spend £100,000 replacing the plastic bollards with steel versions after “unprecedented levels of vandalism”.
Josie Proctor, a mum who lives in Howard Street, said: “My main concern is that by vandalizing the bollards they are putting vulnerable road users at risk such as children cycling to school as they are not expecting a car coming towards them where they expected a filter.
“I’ve seen so many threats it’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.
“I admit that LTNs are a controversial issue.
“Protesting is one thing, but these senseless thugs have cost the taxpayer £100,000 to replace barriers with steel stakes and many hours of police and council workers’ time that could be better used.
“We are really pleased that councilors are now installing steel bollards which will be much harder to destroy, but we would like to see some official cameras installed which can catch and fine those who break the rules and thugs who destroy the public property and endanger lives.”
“Significant risk to the safety of road users”
Oxford has one of the most ambitious LTN networks in the country and the county council has introduced 20mph speed limits in several areas.
A council spokesman said: “Damage to highway infrastructure poses a significant safety risk to all road users.
“Oxfordshire County Council is working closely with Thames Valley Police and highways engineers to monitor and respond to the unprecedented level of incidents targeting filters in low-traffic neighbourhoods.”
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said an investigation into the vandalism had been carried out but had been closed “pending further information”.
He added: “We are also supporting Oxfordshire County Council to find solutions to the issues surrounding LTNs.”
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