Lost lorry reverses on to roundabout and knocks down bollard on Fairview Drive, Ashford
12:50, 29 October 2019
updated: 13:55, 29 October 2019
Footage has emerged of a lost lorry causing chaos and criminal damage last night.
The film was recorded by a passerby last night in Ashford, on the roundabout connecting Fairview Drive and Monument Way.
The lorry reversed into a bollard
The incident saw an illuminated bollard damaged and numerous traffic laws broken.
He said: "It was about 9.45pm and I saw two lorries go down Fairview Drive, which they'd have no reason to at that time.
"Thinking that they were parking for the night, I pulled out my phone to highlight illegal parking which has been an ongoing issue around the borough."
A pilot truck clamping scheme, which saw 2,754 drivers handed a hefty release fine, proved a resounding success and has attracted interest from across the country.
However the 22-year-old realised the foreign-plated HGVs weren't parking up for the night and started filming.
He continued: "They started reversing and, as there was no space for them to turn around, they backed up right on to the roundabout.
"Cars had to slam on the brakes as they came face to face with the lorries' back doors, and exited on the wrong side of the road as the proper exit was blocked.
"I couldn't believe it when the second HGV hit the bollard while trying to turn, before just ploughing through it.
"He then darted away without so much as a glance back at the damage."
The incident came hours before a different lorry drove the wrong way down the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road, which leads to the nearby Waterbrook Truckstop.
A police spokesperson said: "Kent Police was called at 5.07am on Tuesday,October 29 to a report a lorry had travelled on the wrong side of the carriageway in Bad Munstereifel Road, Ashford, before coming to a stop in an area of road that had been closed off.
"Officers attended the scene and spoke with the driver, who was issued with a traffic offence report for careless driving."
The roads of Ashford saw significant congestion yesterday, as Operation Brock kicked in, a burst water main restricted movement down a main road and a fire saw a number of emergency service vehicles rushing through the streets.
