A BMW has become the latest car to be jacked up into the air by automated bollards in a city centre.

Footage taken along Canterbury high street near the Westgate Towers this morning shows the red vehicle with its rear end lifted off the ground by two metal cylinders that emerged as it drove over them.

Even though both back wheels were elevated off the pavement, the driver still tried to accelerate, causing the tyres to futilely spin.

A number of vehicles have been involved in similar incidents with the city’s controversial bollard system, which was installed to prevent terror attacks.

Despite scores of cars lifted into the air by the £789,000 machinery, Canterbury City Council says it is functioning exactly as it should and that the responsibility for such accidents rests squarely with motorists.

“Incidents like this afford us the opportunity to remind people, once again - do not tailgate through the bollards,” said council spokesman Rob Davies.

“The signs are clear - do not cross over a bollard on a red light.

"There is absolutely no point in taking a risk and trying to get through straight after someone else - you will come unstuck.”

After cars become immobilised on the bollards, a council officer is sent out to ensure nobody involved is injured and check the area for damage.

Between November 2020, when the system was installed, and April 2022 there were 80 occurrences of vehicles becoming stuck, including one involving a police car.

Mr Davies explained that most of the time, the bollards can be lowered to free the motorist, but if this is not possible it is up to the driver to arrange their car’s removal.

He also added that the signage at each of the 20 locations where the automated bollards operate is sufficiently clear but that this is under constant review.

“While these incidents always attract attention on social media, the number is tiny compared to the number of people passing over the bollards day in, day out.

“The perception might be that we're constantly sorting out incidents at the bollards, but this really isn't the case,” added Mr Davies.