Van the impaler

A driver had a lucky escape when his vehicle became impaled on an automated bollard during a bizarre incident in the centre of Ayr.

The Post understands a retailer was entering Newmarket Street from the Sandgate side when the bollard suddenly sprang upright.

And the picture (left) show the extent of the damage done to the 70-plate Citroen Berlingo – with the bollard breaching the undercarriage of the vehicle.

One eyewitness said: “The driver was going about his business heading to his shop with new stock when the bollard came up unexpectedly and halted his van.

“It must have been a frightening experience.

“There really should be sensors in place so that once a vehicle crosses a certain point, this kind of thing can’t happen.

“I believe the businessman had to shell out hundreds of pounds just to get his van freed.

“The council are fast making Ayr’s go-to shopping destination a no-go zone with this kind of thing.”

A spokesperson for the Ayrshire Roads Alliance claimed their equipment was not to blame.

They said:“The bollard is programmed to rise at 10.30am and lowers at 4.30pm each day.

“The bollard rises very slowly and there is an audible alarm and flashing lights.

“In addition, signage is in place to alert drivers and there are‘keep clear’ markings on the road surface.

“A recovery vehicle lifted the van off the bollard, there did not appear to be any significant damage and the driver was able to drive the vehicle away.

“The bollard has since been tested and appears to be working as normal.

“We will monitor its operation over the next few days.”