A Wiltshire woman is among furious motorists who have complained their cars are being damaged and written off after being caught in a controversial bus lane trap.

Dozens have found their cars stuck in the bus lane in St Ives in Cambridgeshire despite signs warning them not to enter it.

The trap is located at the junction of Station Road and Harrison Way in St Ives and is designed to prevent vehicles driving onto the bus lane.

The pit in the road is wide enough that small vehicles fall into it but small enough that larger-diameter-wheeled vehicles, such as buses, may pass.

Wiltshire Times: Cars have been damaged and some written off after being driven into the bus lane trap in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.Cars have been damaged and some written off after being driven into the bus lane trap in St Ives, Cambridgeshire. (Image: SWNS)

But some locals are now complaining that the trap is a hazard with up to five motorists getting stuck every week.

Among them is Philippa Parker, from Wiltshire, who drove into the trap which she claims was full of weeds last summer, and complained to the council.

She also argues poor signposting leading up to the trap is what led to the incident.

Philippa said: “The signs were totally inadequate. Motorists were driving up to the junction while we were waiting for the recovery.

“If we weren’t there, they would’ve made the same mistake.

“The abuse and awful language people were shouting as they passed us was also shocking.

“It left us with a very bad impression of St Ives afterwards.”

Wiltshire Times: The bus lane trap in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, has led to 60 complaints over the past 12 years.The bus lane trap in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, has led to 60 complaints over the past 12 years. (Image: SWNS)

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The daughter of a motorist recently caught in the trap, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the incident has left both her parents “shaken and traumatised”.

Their vehicle was seriously damaged in the drop, and they are finding out if it is repairable or a write-off.

She claims her father was one of five drivers who ended up in the trap last week.

He is in his 80s, but she insists he is a competent driver who misunderstood the exit signs leading out of a car park.

She said: "He somehow ended up back in the same car park again.

"He said the signage was poor and if he exited the same way, he’d end up doing the same thing.

“So he went a different way and ended up in the car trap.

“We know of someone in their 20s who has also gone into the trap – you can't argue this is because of my father’s age.

“Considering the number of incidents, there must be another way to manage the junction that doesn't cause this much damage to vehicles.”

Wiltshire Times: Furious motorists have found their cars have been damaged or written off after going down the bus lane trap.Furious motorists have found their cars have been damaged or written off after going down the bus lane trap. (Image: SWNS)

But Cambridgeshire County Council said last month it is only aware of 60 incidents of vehicles caught in the trap since it opened 12 years ago.

It also says the warnings, such as signage, currently in place are adequate.

Cllr Kevin Reynolds from Cambridgeshire County Council has admitted he has little sympathy for the drivers who get stuck.

He said: “If people driving along that road cannot see a big hole in the ground in front of them then I would argue they wouldn’t be able to see a small child.

“I would question whether they should be behind the wheel at all.”