A car smashed into the bollards in Watford town centre yesterday morning.

Police were called to the crashed vehicle in Clarendon Road - and there was visible damage to the front of the vehicle.

It meant buses were not able to serve part of the High Street while the car was recovered.

A witness said the female driver had been following a bus into the restricted area when the bollards rose from the ground crashing into her car.

According to Richard Laidley, who works in the street, drivers crashing into the bollards is still a "weekly occurrence".

He said: "The signage is clearly not sufficient. I don't believe the car drivers can see the signs when driving behind a double-decker bus. This happens weekly."

The bollards in the town centre were introduced by Watford Borough Council last year to stop motorists from cutting through the high street. Only buses, authorised vehicles, and cyclists are allowed to travel down there.

Earlier this year, the Observer reported on numerous occasions where vehicles had collided with the bollards including cars and a bus.

Watford Observer:

A Carousel bus was stranded after colliding with the rising bollard earlier this year

Watford Observer:

And this black Volkswagen also needed to be recovered

Watford Observer:

The council has always been adamant there is enough signage in place. 

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor previously said tailgating drivers were acting “dangerously”.

Watford Observer:

This sign warns people of the automatic bollards which work on an automatic number plate recognition system

Following the latest incident, Mr Taylor said: "Our signage is regularly reviewed by independent experts from our highways authority.

"The drivers of the vehicles have ignored the four signs, the stop road markings, the traffic lights and the audio warnings from the bollards. It is important to remember that when drivers chose to tailgate, they are not only endangering themselves and others but are also breaking the law.

"I am pleased that our new High Street improvements have led to a more pleasant, pedestrian-friendly town centre."