Drivers get stuck on estate steps after 'mistaking route for shortcut'

by · Mail Online

Drivers are getting stuck on a set of steps in the middle of a London housing estate after apparently mistaking the route for a shortcut.

Residents at Maitland Park Estate in Camden say cars have become trapped on the stairs five times in the last month alone - making for some amusing photographs.

But while locals can see the funny side, they have also voiced concerns over the possibility of someone getting hurt - especially children who roam the estate.

Camden Council has now said it will take action to stop cars mistakenly ending up on the stairs.

Aron Kennedy, who has lived on the estate nearly all his life, said drivers who fall victim to the steps often claim that their sat navs took them that way.

Aron Kennedy, who lives on Maitland Park Estate in Camden, next to one of the stranded cars
Drivers are getting stuck on the set of stairs in the middle of the housing estate in Camden
Residents say cars have become trapped on the steps five times in the last month alone
Locals have voiced concerns over the possibility of someone getting hurt by the cars

The 37-year-old van driver said: 'They all tried to say Google Maps sent them that way, but that's unbelievable.

'A bunch of us on the estate tested it out and none of our maps suggested going that way. It's because they think it's a shortcut. But they're taking a shortcut to nowhere.'

Mr Kennedy said he started speaking out about the issue because he became worried that someone would get hurt.

He added: 'At first, we all found it funny. But then we started looking at it from the safety perspective. What if kids were sitting at the bottom of the stairs? What if they came around the corner? It's dangerous. They could get knocked down.'

A general view of the steps under the housing estate off Maitland Park Road in Camden
A Google Street View of the steps under the building (circled) off Maitland Park Road
A closer aerial view of the steps under Maitland Park Estate in Camden, North London

The resident said he is relieved that Camden Council are finally taking action - but added that it should not have taken so long.

Mr Kennedy said: 'It all happened because there's a tiny road outside of the pathway to the stairs - and that route used to be blocked off by a fire gate.

'But the fire gate got left open for a while and no one sorted it for ages. I think now that it's gotten some attention people are getting in trouble.'

A Camden Council spokesperson said: 'The safety of all our residents and visitors to the estate is a priority to us.

'The gate to this area is secured with a padlock and two lockable bollards will also be installed to further ensure that vehicles cannot mistakenly enter.'