Two Brighton and Hove bus drivers decided to take the law into their own hands and deal with a road rage incident in the town centre by penning the offending car driver between two buses.

The incident just after 2pm yesterday was witnessed by startled shoppers and caused major tailbacks in Western Road.

Buses were delayed as the man continued shouting at the drivers who would not move their buses.

The incident began when a car containing a young family went up Western Road from which all vehicles are banned during the day.

It stopped on the side of the road near Waitrose causing an obstruction preventing buses from getting through.

The driver of the 5A Bus going towards Preston Park and Patcham remonstrated with the driver who started arguing with the bus driver. Another bus coming in the opposite direction hemmed the angry motorist in.

One passer-by said: "Both drivers would not let the man out. At first I thought it was an accident and a man had been trapped and squeezed between two buses.

"It was quite disturbing. I heard a lot of swearing from the person trapped. He was very abusive. I heard the bus driver talking about road rage."

Police were called and also an ambulance.

Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Roger French said: "I think what the bus drivers did was a great thing and I applaud them. It's appalling the way motorists abuse the regulations in Brighton, causing stress to drivers and disruption to passengers."

He said drivers continually ignored car bans particularly in Weston Road, Dyke Road and North Street. Recent surveys revealed motorists were breaking the bans every 28 seconds.

Mr French added: "I think we have every right to make a point to these motorists that the road is for buses only.

"Bus drivers shouldn't take any criticism because it is motorists who are breaking the law and the police are doing nothing about it.

"Of course it's not our job to enforce the law but unfortunately nobody else seems to be doing it. I have total sympathy with my drivers' frustration."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "We spoke to the drivers concerned and gave the bus drivers advice on how to deal with such incidents in future."

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