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CCTV will be used to capture vandals who damage planter boxes that have been put in the road to make streets greener and safer, a councillor has warned.

The boxes have been put onto around 17 streets in Hyde Park over the past few days as part of a trial.

Councillors decided to take action after complaints about people using residential streets as rat runs, as well as boy racers speeding.

Hyde Park and Headingley councillor Jonathan Pryor said: "Working with the highways department we put together some proposals that would tackle this dangerous and anti-social driving, and would also make it a lot safer for pedestrians walking though Hyde Park, and also take air pollution away from people’s homes.

Planter boxes were pushed over in Hyde Park (photo: Alex Thornton).

"We know that inner city areas have some of the worst air pollution and bad health outcomes as a result so this was really important to tackle too.

"All streets are still completely accessible by car, but it essentially turns groups of housing into cul-de-sacs so dangerous driving is minimised."

Residents living in the streets were sent consultation documents eight weeks ago, and those who responded were "overwhelmingly positive".

Councillor hits back at 'aggressive and abusive small minority' after road closure planter boxes vandalised