Bentley driver hits bollards in Clarendon Road in Watford

The driver of the Continental GT was struck by rising bollards in Clarendon Road in Watford town centre on Wednesday.

He had been following a bus towards the High Street but as he drove into the zone, restricted to buses, authorised vehicles and cyclists only, bollards rose from the ground catching the luxury car.

The stricken Bentley was left parked up on the side of Clarendon Road following the collision, leaking oil with damage to the front left of the vehicle.

The Bentley was damaged by the bollards rising from the ground

Watford Borough Council claims this is the first incident involving the bollards in almost six months.

Deputy mayor of Watford Borough Council, Councillor Karen Collett, said: "This is the first incident in almost six months and we are extremely disappointed that the driver disregarded the stop line, the traffic signs and the traffic lights, and chose to tailgate a bus through the bollards.

"We urge drivers to please pay attention to the rules of the road to keep themselves and others safe.

"The bollards are there for a reason - they only allow permitted vehicles through the town centre and since introducing them we have seen a massive reduction in traffic and pollution which is to everyone's benefit."

The bollards were introduced in Clarendon Road in 2018 to stop drivers cutting through the High Street.

This sign in Clarendon Road warns drivers about how the bollards operate. An earlier sign warns drivers it is a restricted road

The bollards pictured at a previous time following a collision

When the bollards were first put in, there were numerous incidents of vehicles being hit by them, including a bus.

Only one vehicle can pass through at a time before the bollards rise from the ground.

The council says when the bollards are struck, there is usually minimal damage and any repair costs are covered by the insurers of the driver who struck the bollards.

Below are other examples of vehicles which have hit the bollards