Oxfordshire County Council has labelled the vandalism of a low-traffic neighbourhood bollard as a “significant safety risk to road users, pedestrians and cyclists.”

The bollard on Clive Road in Cowley had been almost entirely removed when it was discovered yesterday afternoon (April 23).

All that remained was a small wooden base and a pile of sawdust.

A spokeswoman from the council said: “We take the damage to the bollard on Clive Road very seriously.

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“It presents a significant safety risk to road users, pedestrians and cyclists alike, and can impede emergency services access. Our contractors are making it safe as a priority.”

Bollards across Oxford have been repeatedly vandalised – including being driven over, pulled out of the ground and even set on fire – since they were installed by the council in May last year.

Last month, the council spent thousands of pounds to upgrade its bollards from plastic designs to sturdy wooden bollards to stop acts of vandalism.

The spokeswoman said: “Low traffic neighbourhoods in Oxford are intended to make residential streets safer and more comfortable for walking, wheeling and cycling.

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“All plastic bollards used in the low traffic neighbourhoods were replaced with sturdier timber bollards in March 2023.

“The new bollards were chosen in consultation with emergency services, and our highways engineers, learning from other areas that had experienced similar issues.

"These actions were in response to a number of vandalism incidents."

She added: “Since the installation of the timber bollards the rate of vandalism attempts has dropped.

"The council continues to look at all solutions to prevent vandalism including working with Thames Valley Police to prosecute offenders where they can be identified.”