Motorists anger over weed filled bus trap catching 5 cars a week

Drivers’ fury at being caught in bus lane ‘car trap’ that has damaged and written off ‘dozens’ of vehicles… but councillor suggests if you can’t see the ‘big hole’ you shouldn’t be behind the wheel at all

• The bus lane is guarded by a 30cm deep diagonal slit trench across the road
• There is a small area of concrete each side of the trench allowing buses to pass 
• Has your car been damaged by the bus trap? Email [email protected]

Outraged motorists are blaming a local council after driving their cars into a trap guarding a bus lane which they say is writing off their cars. 

Locals say up to five motorists a week are caught out by the pit in the carriageway, which they claim has been filled with weeds. 

The trap is located at the junction of Station Road and Harrison Way in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, and is designed to prevent private cars from scooting through the bus lane. 

It consists of a diagonal 30cm-deep slit trench crossing the majority of the carriageway. The width of the trench is too small for a vehicle smaller than a bus to cross without falling in. Buses and large vehicles have a wide enough track between their wheels to remain either side of the large pit in the middle. 

Unfortunately for motorists who ignore the signs, their cars will tumble into the pit, causing substantial damage. 

But the council has hit back at the outraged owners, saying if they are unable to spot a ‘big hole in the ground’ then they shouldn’t be behind the wheel.  

This car has fallen into a slit trench guarding a bus lane in St Ives in Cambridgeshire 

The diagonal slit trench, pictured, leaves a narrow corridor each side of the carriageway to allow buses to pass. Narrower vehicles such as cars and vans will fall into the gaping hole

The daughter of a motorist recently caught in the trap, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the incident has left both her parents ‘shaken and traumatised’.

Their vehicle was seriously damaged in the drop, and they are finding out if it is repairable or a write off.

READ MORE: Vintage tourist tour bus fined for using BUS LANE

She claims her father was one of five drivers who ended up in the trap last week.

He is in his 80s, but she insists he is a competent driver who misunderstood the exit signs leading out of a car park

She said: ‘He somehow ended up back in the same car park again.

‘He said the signage was poor and if he exited the same way, he’d end up doing the same thing.

‘So he went a different way and ended up in the car trap.

‘We know of someone in their 20s who has also gone into the trap – you can’t argue this is because of my father’s age.

‘Considering the number of incidents, there must be another way to manage the junction that doesn’t cause this much damage to vehicles.’

Locals complain that at least five motorists a week are caught out by the trap

Local councillor Kevin Reynolds said he has no sympathy for motorists caught by the bus trap. He said: ‘If people driving along that road cannot see a big hole in the ground in front of them then I would argue they wouldn’t be able to see a small child. I would question whether they should be behind the wheel at all’

Philippa Parker drove into the trap which, she claims, was full of weeds last summer and complained to the council.

She also argues poor signposting leading up to the trap is what led to the incident.

Ms Parker, from Wiltshire, said: ‘The signs were totally inadequate.

READ MORE: The constant war against British motorists

‘Motorists were driving up to the junction while we were waiting for the recovery.

‘If we weren’t there, they would’ve made the same mistake.

‘The abuse and awful language people were shouting as they passed us was also shocking.

‘It left us with a very bad impression of St Ives afterwards.’

However, Cambridgeshire County Council said last month it is only aware of 60 incidents of vehicles caught in the trap since it opened 12 years ago.

It also says the warnings, such as signage, currently in place are adequate.

Cllr Kevin Reynolds from Cambridgeshire County Council has admitted he has little sympathy for the drivers who get stuck.

He said: ‘If people driving along that road cannot see a big hole in the ground in front of them then I would argue they wouldn’t be able to see a small child.

‘I would question whether they should be behind the wheel at all.’

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