Roadblocks in the UK have been damaged and in some cases set on fire in what are allegedly acts of protest by disgruntled motorists.
The so-called Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) roadblocks were installed to prevent vehicles taking shortcuts through residential areas to avoid congested main roads.
The move is part of the Healthy Streets initiative whose partners include the World Health Organisation, Transport for London, and the Department of Transport.
Oxfordshire Council says the LTNs create “quieter and safer streets where residents may feel more comfortable when making local journeys by cycling, wheeling or on foot.”
Road blocks stopping most motorists from driving through Oxford city centre will divide the city into six "15 minute" neighbourhoods, a county council travel chief has said. pic.twitter.com/MOy0EO1VcS
— D. Scott @eclipsethis2003 (@eclipsethis2003) March 29, 2023
In Oxford a group of climate activists prevented cars from travelling on a residential road causing an angry response from a female motorist who repeatedly said she needed to go to work and was willing to incur a fine to travel on the partially blocked road.
The British public will NOT put up with 15 minute cities‼️‼️☝️😏🙏👇👇#15minutescities #TheGreatReset #TheGreatResist pic.twitter.com/13WWevFVfd
— Sophia Dahl (@sophiadahl1) March 26, 2023
Elsewhere LTNs were pushed aside allowing cars to pass through the street seen above.
The issue of LTNs has reportedly been causing a stir since 2021 and seen thousands of submissions made to local councils as well as protests.
A protestor told the BBC that her “petrol costs have increased,”
“ I have to go quite far out of my way to get to places. I feel cut off from my friends and my family.” she said
'My work has helped changed perceptions' [on LTNs]
Rachel Aldred, head of the Active Travel Academy that Gov asked to do an independent review of LTNs following a 13,000 petition. The Petitions Commttee has asked Gov to think again.
Important Steve Bird piece in Sun Telegraph pic.twitter.com/Ve7ByOCcsB
— John Stewart (@JohnJohnStewart) March 26, 2023
It was reported that the blocks appeared as “temporary measures” during the covid pandemic but many councils decided to keep them as traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels.
The LTN in Rochdale, which had good support during the consultation, has been vandalised on the first day of installation
I hope Rochdale council do not cave into thuggery and reinstate the filters at the earliest possible opportunity pic.twitter.com/GDlKPqi2XP
— Harry Gray (@H_H_Gray) March 24, 2023
Police are investigating an incident which took place in Rochdale Greater Manchester where LTNs installed to encourage the use of public transport and cycling were set alight last week.
Rochdale Borough Council has paused the scheme to examine future steps in response to the attack on LTN infrastructure with a spokesperson for the council saying, “While we understand there may be some strong feelings about the active travel trial on both sides, violence and threats will not be tolerated and the police are investigating this incident.”
“The damage has now been cleared by the council and the active travel trial has been paused while we consider our next steps.”