A DRIVER whose car was damaged after he smashed into an unlit traffic island in the dark is furious after his compensation claim was turned down.

Steve Lucas, of Great Clacton, was driving friends to a darts match in Walton when his Peugeot estate crashed into the obstacle in Kirby Cross.

“There were no bollards to show the traffic island was there and cars were parked on both sides of the road,” said Mr Lucas, 64.

“I hit it and my car just took off into the air. After it landed, I could see other cars parked there with wheels missing and damaged.”

At least eight cars had crashed into the unlit traffic island.

Mr Lucas said warning signs had been put up by the time he returned home from the darts match at the Royal British Legion at about 11.45pm.

The Thorpe Ringers darts man was left with a £143 bill for a broken shock absorber.

He tried to get compensation from highways at Essex County Council following the March 24 accident, but it has now turned down his claim, even though he believes the accident was not his fault.

Mr Lucas, of Elm Grove, claims the cars would not have hit the traffic island if the council had replaced the broken bollards.

A county council spokesman said: “We do not comment on specific cases, however all compensation claims received by Essex County Council are investigated fully and damages paid if the council is liable as the highways authority.”