Parliament's £250k pop-up barriers damage Tory's car

Published on Wednesday 3 November 2010 10:18

TAXPAYERS will have to pay thousands of pounds in repair bills after expensive pop-up barriers at the Scottish Parliament wrecked an MSP's car.

Tory education spokesman Liz Smith's Ford Focus was left with two demolished front panels, a broken gearbox and damaged brakes after the incident at the entrance to Holyrood's underground car park.

Ms Smith, a former teacher at George Watson's College, said: "I arrived at the parliament and the ramp that lets cars drive into the car park was down, but there was a red light so I contacted security and they said I could drive in. However the barrier came up just as I was crossing it, taking the front two panels of my car off.

"The car will be assessed, but I think it will cost thousands of pounds to fix."

The 250,000 barriers were installed last year as part of a security programme to combat a potential terrorist threat.

A parliament spokesman said the vehicle entry system had been incorrectly activated by staff and the parliament would cover the cost of repairs to the car. Ms Smith has been provided with a courtesy car in the meantime.