At least three more drivers have hit a controversial width restriction in Watford - including one whose Volvo was left perched in the air.

The incident involving the Volvo in Woodmere Avenue at the weekend was so serious, the police, and fire brigade, while a digger helping retrieve the vehicle.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says it was called at 7.25am on Saturday to reports of a car that had collided with the width restriction.

No injuries were reported but the airbags were deployed and the fire service was called after smoke began coming from the vehicle.

Watford Observer: The Volvo needed to be recovered by a digger after it became hooked on one of the bollards at the Woodmere Avenue width restrictionThe Volvo needed to be recovered by a digger after it became hooked on one of the bollards at the Woodmere Avenue width restriction

However, the side of the Volvo had become hooked onto one of the bollards taking the car partially off the ground.

A digger following behind then retrieved the stricken Volvo.

Once back on the ground there was significant damage, with the front-left wheel almost detached from the rest of the vehicle.

Watford Observer: The Volvo after it had been freedThe Volvo after it had been freed

The following day, a Nissan caught the same bollards leaving the vehicle at an angle blocking the road. 

Then yesterday morning (Tuesday), the front wheel of another vehicle - a Toyota - suffered a similar fate when it also caught the same width restriction.

Like the Volvo, the front-left wheel was damaged.

Watford Observer: This Toyota struck the same restriction on Tuesday. The Volvo involved on Saturday is pictured behind.This Toyota struck the same restriction on Tuesday. The Volvo involved on Saturday is pictured behind.

The width restriction in Woodmere Avenue has been a source of controversy for years.

It is designed to stop larger vehicles like lorries cutting through to nearby industrial estates but it has more bollards to navigate than other width restrictions, such as a nearby one in Tudor Avenue.

It is not uncommon for drivers to catch one of the bollards as they pass through - a resident who reported the latest incidents to the Observer said he believes at least one driver strikes the bollards everyday.

Watford Observer: The Woodmere Avenue width restriction has a set of three bollards drivers must negotiateThe Woodmere Avenue width restriction has a set of three bollards drivers must negotiate

Calls for a solution to the problem have so far fallen on deaf ears.

Earlier this year, Watford's MP raised the issue in the House of Commons.

Dean Russell said he "did not think it is right" that someone on their way to work or school or to the shops should be "worried" about damaging their vehicle, "because of the way a width restriction was designed decades ago".

Related: Watford MP raises Woodmere Avenue width restriction in Parliament

Watford Observer: The Woodmere Avenue width restrictionThe Woodmere Avenue width restriction

Following his speech in Parliament in March, Mr Russell told the Observer: "It was important to me to bring Woodmere Avenue up in Parliament as it has been an on-going issue for a number of years.

"My constituency office is very close, and I regularly see vehicles getting damaged – as well as cars blatantly driving through the bus lane.

"I am determined to see improvements and I remain in contact with the minister, as well as Hertfordshire County Council. Other local width restrictions such as the ones on Tudor Avenue and Bushey Mill Lane serve their purpose, without posing a serious risk to vehicles."