More drivers have fallen foul of a “ridiculous” Watford traffic restriction, prompting residents to call for its removal.

Motorists reacted with fury when the width restriction was installed in Woodmere Avenue by Hertfordshire County Council on Friday, February 25.

Stunned homeowners watched in amazement as a steady collection of shattered wing mirrors built up at the roadside – ripped off by high warning bollards.

Those bollards were instantly reduced in height after police were forced to close the road.

Drivers, however, have continued to collide with the restrictions, prompting renewed calls for their removal.

Police were called today when the steering of a car was badly damaged in a collision with the high kerbs at the site. Hertfordshire Constabulary confirmed that the Peugeot 307 crashed shortly before 1pm. Neighbours said it was later towed away.

On Saturday afternoon, meanwhile, a large van was stuck in the restriction for up to four hours before it was pulled clear.

Rose Stanton, 86, who lives opposite, explained: “I was doing some digging in the garden when I heard this almighty great bang. This big van was just stuck there. The man driving just walked away and left it there.

“It meant people had to keep driving through the bus lane to get past him. I looked out again at 7.30pm and he was still there. He was only gone when I checked again at 8.30pm.

“It's a terrible idea. The council spent £18,000 putting it in to make things better and all they have done is make things worse. When it first went in all I could here was ‘bang’ ‘bang’ ‘bang’ all the time as people started hitting it. People are all using the bus lane to avoid it now and it’s going to cause an accident. They need to take it away or make it wider.”

Another car was damaged on Wednesday afternoon, police confirmed. When the Watford Observer visited the scene again this afternoon most drivers were slowing right down to squeeze through. But many larger vehicles, including a hearse carrying a coffin, opted to drive through the bus lane – a move that could earn them a fine.

Fellow neighbour Sheila O’Brien added: “It’s ridiculous. They should have just left it the way that is was before. Everybody is smashing their cars up on it.”

Hertfordshire County Council has received more than 50 complaints about the restriction. At least two motorists, meanwhile, are taking legal action.

The authority, however, has consistently claimed that the restriction meets the minimum width requirement of seven feet set by the Department for Transport.