The erection of a short piece of metal fencing alongside electronic parking barriers at Ashford International station has amused motorists.

Robert Kilkie uploaded this picture to a Facebook group for residents last week, saying: “I watched workmen install this fencing at the barriers for the car parks in Newtown Road and am still trying to figure out why!”

Other residents and drivers also commented on the post to question its function.

Some quipped that workmen may return to complete and lengthen it, while others cited health and safety, noting it may be to stop cars driving around the barriers and avoid paying to get to nearby car parks or the Ashford International station entrance.

A spokesman for High Speed 1 (HS1) Ltd confirmed its purpose, saying: “As part of wider investment at Ashford International, the station management took the decision to put in place a protective barrier to separate pedestrians from traffic.

“This measure is common practice in most modern car parks and is part of HS1 Ltd’s ongoing commitment to safety for all who use the station.”

The electronic barriers were first installed by HS1 in December.

Number plate recognition replaced paper tickets, and users now pay for parking with their vehicle registration details at machines inside the main building.

HS1 said at the time of their installation the new system was an upgrade as part of wider investment in parking facilities at the station and to manage traffic better with a dual lane will improve car flow at peak times.

But the new system received scores of negative comments when it first launched, with drivers noting queues where there previously were none at the foodcourt end of the Designer Outlet and longer waiting times to get into the car parks on the International side of the station.

The new parking system entitles drivers to 20 minutes free parking for drop-offs and pick-ups on level five of the multi-storey car park, car park D, car park E and the station frontage.