A DRIVER had to wait for help after trapping his van through width restrictions.

In recent months the width restrictions outside Bickley Park Station, in Southborough Road, Bickley, have seen many drivers come unstuck.

The latest driver, Keith Thana from Ipswich, was unable to continue on his journey after his white van became stuck between the pillars at around 9.30am on July 20.

He had to call the police and the AA.

Mr Thana said: “I did not realise it was so tight.

“I do not know why they have made them like that.”

The restrictions are 6ft 6in in width and were put in place by Bromley Council to stop large vehicles and transit vans using the weak bridge.

Ozbail Tasil of Green Street Green, manages the Belmont dry cleaners near the station.

Mr Tasil believes the restrictions have caused more harm than good and have affected the businesses in the street.

He said: “It is causing traffic on the bridge.

“People are slowing down and it puts more weight on the bridge, it defeats the object completely.

“It is not working for the people or the traders. Everyone is complaining.

“They should invent something else.”

The 46-year-old said if you stand here for an hour you can hear all of the banging and scratching on the cars.

Mr Tasil added: “It is disgusting and terrible.”

There have also been width restrictions placed at other weak bridges in the borough, including a bridge on Chislehurst Road, Orpington, however, these restrictions measure 7ft wide.

A spokesman for Bromley Council said the measurement of the restrictions depends on the weight limit which is allowed to travel on the bridge.

Executive councillor for environment Councillor Colin Smith, said: “The barriers have been in place for 11 weeks now to protect the bridge from possible collapse, it's that serious.

“If people choose to ignore the warnings and wedge their vehicles in the barriers whilst trying to circumvent them I'm not sure what the council can do.”

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