A police car responding to an emergency call was involved in a crash with another car on a town centre street.

The collision happened at 7.35pm yesterday on Sandgate Road in Folkestone as officers were heading to investigate reports of criminal damage. No one was hurt.

It is not the first time vehicles travelling on this stretch of road have been involved in accidents in recent times, and some living in the area believe the road layout could be a factor.

Pedestrian crossing 'islands' create pinch points as vehicles have to weave around them and past parked cars.

Ian Everley, who lives in nearby Trinity Crescent and saw the aftermath of last night's incident, said: "The police car had sirens on.

"The driver of the other car did not appear to be injured and the collision was relatively minor.

"Motorists and pedestrians can be unsighted if crossing at that point. One of the bollards is already damaged from an earlier collision.

"Buses and large vehicles already have issues passing here because of the islands and allocated parking."

Mr Everley has previously had to help direct traffic on the same stretch of road after another crash he believes is a consequence of the road layout.

In July last year a car was left on it's side after a collision while trying to pass the crossing points.

He said: "The driver of the Focus struck the legally-parked Micra while chicaning past the island, ended up on its side with smoke billowing out of it.

"Passers-by told the female driver to try and switch the engine off, which she did, and then they kicked in the windscreen to get her out.

"While waiting for emergency services to arrive I redirected traffic. No serious injuries but road closed for hours."

Earlier this year we reported how a bus and car had crashed into parked vehicles on the same stretch of Sandgate Road.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “Whilst we sympathise with residents, we have to make tough decisions on where to improve traffic and road safety in local areas. We look at the sites most in need of improvement first, which have got the support of the whole community.

“Managing the speed of traffic is essential to continue reducing the number of and severity of casualties on our roads. Kent Police is responsible for the enforcement of speed limits.

"We're happy to consider all requests as long as residents go through the steps outlined on www.kent.gov.uk/highways.”