Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Oh dear! Not-so-smart driver trapped by bollard
Motorist tailgated vehicle in bid to get past anti-terror barrier
A driver was left red-faced after attempting to outsmart the city centre’s anti-terror bollard system.
The motorist tried to tailgate another vehicle which had permission to enter the city in Burgate.
But their attempt to beat the blockade came up short when the bollards rose and lifted the rear of the Hyundai off the ground.
Luckily for the embarrassed driver the car was not badly damaged and they were able to continue on after being freed. The bizarre-looking incident happened last Wednesday, the first day the defence system was reintroduced following lockdown.
The £800,000 scheme, which has resulted in more than 100 bollards being placed around the city, is in operation every day between 10.30am and 4pm. During that time, only a select few vehicles are allowed access. Council spokesman Leo
Whitlock said: “This incident is a warning to drivers not to tailgate and attempt to follow another car into the city centre when the bollards are lowered please read the signs and only drive forward when there is a green light.
“The overwhelming majority
of vehicles are not allowed in the city centre at all. Those that want to gain access must talk individually to our team in the control room before they are allowed to proceed.”
The bollards are designed to keep a hostile vehicle away from the city centre, and were installed following advice from counter-terror police. Council chief executive Colin Carmichael said: “As restrictions are eased, it is more important than ever that we keep everyone safe and the streets in the pedestrianised zone as traffic free as we can.”