Police said people were ‘entitled to express their opinions freely’ – after online boasts of ‘smashing up barriers’ at a planned LTN protest later this month.

Campaigners opposed to the ’15 minute neighbourhoods’ concept and Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes are expected to meet in Oxford on February 18.

A poster circulating online urged people to attend to ‘save businesses, jobs, right to education, freedom of movement, worship and family life’. Among the speakers promised are Covid-19 lockdown sceptics Dan Astin-Gregory, a You-Tuber, and campaigner Jonathan Tilt. The location is yet to be announced. 

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The event has gained attention on social media. One Twitter user, ‘@nickelsgb’, told his followers: “Anyone going to Oxford on the 18th of February to smash these barriers up remember the police work for them[,] although it’s you that pay their wages. Policemen[,] you don’t want barriers either[;] how will you get to any crimes[?] Best to turn a blind eye.”

Replying to the post, a ‘Michael Wilkins’ said: “If anyone gets arrested and charged for smashing up these barriers it’ll be f***ing hilarious.”

When the Oxford Mail put the comments to Thames Valley Police, a force spokesman confirmed that officers were aware of the event.

“The public are entitled to express their opinions freely and a proportionate reassurance policing response will be available on the day,” he said.

The LTN bollards in east Oxford have been repeatedly vandalised since the introduction of the scheme around Cowley Road last summer.

The planned protest later in February comes around a month after people came from around the country to leaflet households across Oxford about the traffic filters. 

The flyer, which was produced by group Not Our Future, likened Oxford residents to guinea pigs and claimed those living in the city ‘will all be subjects of a scheme known as 15 Minute Neighbourhoods’.

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Oxfordshire County Council, which as the highways authority is responsible for the LTNs and traffic filters schemes in the city, has repeatedly described as false and misleading claims that it wants a ‘climate lockdown’ in Oxford or that people will be prevented from getting out of their own neighbourhood.

Before Christmas, the council said: “Under the traffic filters, residents will still be able to drive to every part of the city at any time – but in the future, at the times when the filters are operating, you may need to take a different route (e.g. using the ring road) if you want to travel by car.”

They added: “The 15-minute neighbourhoods proposal aims to ensure that every resident has all the essentials (shops, healthcare, parks) within a 15-minute walk of their home. They aim to support and add services, not restrict them."

Expected to be introduced in 2024, new traffic filters on St Cross Road, Thames Street, Hythe Bridge Street and St Clements will operate seven days a week from 7am to 7pm.

Two more filters on Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way will operate from Monday to Saturday, between 7am and 9am and from 3pm to 6pm.

Oxford residents will be able to apply for permits to drive through the filters on 100 days a year. There will be other exemptions for blue badge holders, carers, emergency workers, buses and taxis.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward