Low traffic neighbourhood barricades set on fire hours after being installed

Watch: Low traffic neighbourhood barricades set on fire hours after being installed in Rochdale

Barricades designed to ease traffic as part of a 'Low traffic neighbourhood' scheme were set alight just hours after being installed.

Video footage showed the large planters on fire on a street in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

The wooden barriers, which bore large "road closed" signs, were set on fire last Thursday. Police are investigating.

The planters had been installed just hours earlier as apart of a traffic calming trial.

The low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme was launched in early February in the Deeplish and Milkstone area of Rochdale with the aim of encouraging people to walk, cycle or use public transport instead of their cars.

But only hours after the barricades were installed, videos were shared which showed motorists driving on the pavement to go around them.

Shortly after 8pm on Thursday, the emergency services were called to the scene after some planters were set on fire and forcibly removed from the road.

Rochdale Borough Council condemned the "violence and threats" and reopened all of the affected roads, saying the trial has been put on hold. The trial had been set to last for six months.

The "vehicle filters" were installed on Boundary Street, Durham Street, Leicester Street, New Barn Lane, Salkeld Street and Whitby Street.

Other streets became one-way with double yellow lines, while bollards to prevent pavement parking were put in place in other areas.

Businessman Mohammed Yousuf, who runs Auto Shop on Milkstone Road, shared a video on Facebook.

He said: "Most of the community were aware of it being introduced but they weren't aware how many would be closed at once.

"Why block everything all at once? It added on at least half a mile for a lot of people's journeys which must have angered some members of the community.

"They have managed to get it paused for now so we can reach an agreement again and proceed from there. The majority are for the scheme but not in the way it was done here, they shouldn't have blocked every street on the same day."

One resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "I think setting fire to it was too far and dangerous.

"I can understand why there was concern, I don't think a lot of people knew roads were going to be closed. But something does need to be done about the amount of cars around here, it's a nightmare."

Milkstone and Deeplish councillor Shahid Mohammed said: "Everybody who knows me knows how much I care about this area and our amazing community and I understand there are some strong feelings out there about the active travel trial.

"However, while we are always willing to listen to feedback and want to work with the local community, violence and threats cannot and will not be tolerated."

A spokesman for Rochdale Borough Council said: "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."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said one engine from Rochdale fire station attended the scene and cleared materials from the road.

A spokesperson said: "Firefighters made the scene safe before departing after around three quarters of an hour."

What are 'low traffic neighbourhoods'?

Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), sometimes known as active neighbourhoods, are government schemes where motor vehicle traffic around residential streets is reduced.

This is accomplished by trying to minimise the amount of vehicle "through-traffic" that can access streets to reach another destination.

The aim is to open up networks of streets so locals can travel by foot, bicycle or public transport.

In low traffic neighbourhoods, cars are blocked using "modal filters", which can include bollards or planters.

The idea is that residents can still drive their cars in the area, but that through-traffic is greatly reduced.