'Killer kerb' becomes Google Maps attraction after damaging cars daily
Angry drivers have expressed their fury over a 13-inch high kerb which has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to cars.
The new installation, near Salisbury railway station in Wiltshire, was designed to be 'more welcoming environment for pedestrians'.
But it's led to some people scraping the sides of their cars while trying to navigate around it.
The Liberal Democrat-led Wiltshire Council raised the kerb in October 2024 as part of its £3.2 million project.
But it has become so notorious that it has been listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps.
Furious motorists have also set up a Facebook group called 'Killer Kerb Salisbury', which has over 4,300 members, to highlight the damage it has caused.
A video on social media showing an incident than one million views, while photos reveal dents and scratches as a result of cars struggling to drive around the foot-high construction.
It lies just 390ft away from Salisbury railway station on a mini roundabout between Fisherton Street and South Western Road.
Tom Curtress, 34, from Berkshire, is one of several people who have damaged their cars on the kerb.
He said: 'It will be two new doors and some panel work. It's not exactly a bit of varnish and some paint work.
'Other people will do the same thing; they will have a great weekend, drop someone off at the station and then prang their car.'
Mr Curtress damaged his Ford Focus in March and just 15 minutes after he said he noticed a BMW driver experience a similar incident.
He added: 'That BMW car door's going to cost more than a Ford Focus one.
'It was an identical issue, coming from the station. It's not just causing a little scuff. It's causing dents.
'If you drive from the station, you can't see the kerb from the driver's side. It's a tight turn and you don't want to go into the oncoming traffic.
'I took one video where around 50 percent of the cars, to avoid it, had their driver's side on the other side of the road.'
The high installation has divided people online.
The raised 'trief' design was used to prevent cars from mounting the pavement and was installed as part of a 15-month infrastructure project.
It was 'renewed' last year under a scheme the county council said would 'create a more welcoming environment for pedestrians' when they walk towards the city centre from the railway station.
But since opening in October 2024 eight compensation claims relating to it have been made compared to zero in the three previous years.
Meanwhile, Anthony D'Arcy-Irvine, 82, a retired military pilot, caused £4,000 worth of damage after hitting his Volkswagen on the kerb in June.
He claimed he was the 'third car that day' to visit the local garage for repair.
Mr D'Arcy-Irvine, from Enford, Wiltshire, said: 'I was going to get crushed. If I had stayed where I was, I would have been hit by the vehicle coming the other way.
'I have lived in Salisbury for 50 years and I have used that roundabout regularly, I think it is very badly marked.
'When you pull out of the way of a truck coming the other way, there's not sign of where it is. You cannot see it. Other people have rung me and said the same thing.
'Wiltshire Council and Highways have a responsibility to make sure it is safe for driers as well, and it isn't. They have a duty of care for road users.'
Heather Armstrong, who owns nearby Gullicks Florists, said: 'Literally everyday a vehicle will go into the kerb and people get stuck on it.
'If someone gets stuck on there it does cause problems with traffic building up.
'I know it's there, so I know to pull out further. For some people, it's not that visible.
'When there was a railing there it gave some more guidance. You have to swing out the other way, and sometimes with traffic coming the other way, that's not possible.'
Wiltshire Council said it will be carrying out remedial works at the junction of Fisherton Street and South Western Road between August 18 and 26.
It said an audit identified the kerb was too steep and work is now taking place to reduce its gradient. More Trending
However, the council highlighted in a statement the audit 'did not raise any concerns regarding the positioning or use of the Trief kerb at this junction, nor did it identify any issues with vehicle movements in this area'.
But it recognised cars have been damaged in this area.
Councillor Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: 'This is a key junction providing access to the railway station and city centre, with approximately 11,000 vehicles passing under the Fisherton Street railway bridge each day.
'It is important that the infrastructure installed at this location supports pedestrian safety, especially with the recent opening of Fisherton Car Park for SWR customers, which has increased footfall in the area.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Angry drivers have expressed their fury over a 13-inch high kerb which has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to cars. The new installation, near Salisbury railway station in Wiltshire, was designed to be 'more welcoming environment for pedestrians'. But it's led to some people scraping the sides of their cars while trying to navigate around it. The Liberal Democrat-led Wiltshire Council raised the kerb in October 2024 as part of its £3.2 million project. But it has become so notorious that it has been listed as a tourist attraction on Google Maps. Furious motorists have also set up a Facebook group called 'Killer Kerb Salisbury', which has over 4,300 members, to highlight the damage it has caused. A video on social media showing an incident than one million views, while photos reveal dents and scratches as a result of cars struggling to drive around the foot-high construction. It lies just 390ft away from Salisbury railway station on a mini roundabout between Fisherton Street and South Western Road. Tom Curtress, 34, from Berkshire, is one of several people who have damaged their cars on the kerb. He said: 'It will be two new doors and some panel work. It's not exactly a bit of varnish and some paint work. 'Other people will do the same thing; they will have a great weekend, drop someone off at the station and then prang their car.' Mr Curtress damaged his Ford Focus in March and just 15 minutes after he said he noticed a BMW driver experience a similar incident. He added: 'That BMW car door's going to cost more than a Ford Focus one. 'It was an identical issue, coming from the station. It's not just causing a little scuff. It's causing dents. 'If you drive from the station, you can't see the kerb from the driver's side. It's a tight turn and you don't want to go into the oncoming traffic. 'I took one video where around 50 percent of the cars, to avoid it, had their driver's side on the other side of the road.' The high installation has divided people online. The raised 'trief' design was used to prevent cars from mounting the pavement and was installed as part of a 15-month infrastructure project. It was 'renewed' last year under a scheme the county council said would 'create a more welcoming environment for pedestrians' when they walk towards the city centre from the railway station. But since opening in October 2024 eight compensation claims relating to it have been made compared to zero in the three previous years. Meanwhile, Anthony D'Arcy-Irvine, 82, a retired military pilot, caused £4,000 worth of damage after hitting his Volkswagen on the kerb in June. He claimed he was the 'third car that day' to visit the local garage for repair. Mr D'Arcy-Irvine, from Enford, Wiltshire, said: 'I was going to get crushed. If I had stayed where I was, I would have been hit by the vehicle coming the other way. 'I have lived in Salisbury for 50 years and I have used that roundabout regularly, I think it is very badly marked. 'When you pull out of the way of a truck coming the other way, there's not sign of where it is. You cannot see it. Other people have rung me and said the same thing. 'Wiltshire Council and Highways have a responsibility to make sure it is safe for driers as well, and it isn't. They have a duty of care for road users.' Heather Armstrong, who owns nearby Gullicks Florists, said: 'Literally everyday a vehicle will go into the kerb and people get stuck on it. 'If someone gets stuck on there it does cause problems with traffic building up. 'I know it's there, so I know to pull out further. For some people, it's not that visible. 'When there was a railing there it gave some more guidance. You have to swing out the other way, and sometimes with traffic coming the other way, that's not possible.' Wiltshire Council said it will be carrying out remedial works at the junction of Fisherton Street and South Western Road between August 18 and 26. It said an audit identified the kerb was too steep and work is now taking place to reduce its gradient. More Trending However, the council highlighted in a statement the audit 'did not raise any concerns regarding the positioning or use of the Trief kerb at this junction, nor did it identify any issues with vehicle movements in this area'. But it recognised cars have been damaged in this area. Councillor Martin Smith, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Highways, said: 'This is a key junction providing access to the railway station and city centre, with approximately 11,000 vehicles passing under the Fisherton Street railway bridge each day. 'It is important that the infrastructure installed at this location supports pedestrian safety, especially with the recent opening of Fisherton Car Park for SWR customers, which has increased footfall in the area.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ex-PE teacher admits sexual communication with teenage girl MORE: Full list of where UK hosepipe ban is taking place in 2025 MORE: Manhunt on for naked dog walker traumatising Salisbury village
