Social media comments about motorists caught in the St Ives car trap have been described as ‘sickening’ by the daughter of a driver who damaged his vehicle hitting it.
The woman, who has asked not to be identified, says she was shocked to come across posts on Facebook from residents mocking those who have driven into the trap.
She said: “They’re all laughing at other people’s expense.
“This is not a joke. Some of things I've seen people say is sickening; it’s trolling and a sad reflection of modern society.
“There’s even a Facebook group dedicated to the St Ives car trap. The first rule is ‘be kind and courteous’ and I can say what people are writing on there is far from it.
“If only they would put in the same sort of effort into finding a solution to the car trap – because all this is surely affecting the reputation of St Ives now.”
It is understood two more vehicles went into the car trap at the junction of Station Road and Harrison Way on Sunday (October 8).
One of the incidents was reported to police at around 10pm – but nobody was with the vehicle when the officers arrived.
A police spokesperson said it was recovered at around 11:40pm.
Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire County Council said last month it is 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.
Philippa Parker, from Wiltshire, disagrees.
She drove into the trap which, she claims, was full of weeds last summer and complained to the council.
Mrs Parker 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.”
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