A CAR crunching kerb has been removed despite developers telling angry motorists it complied with building regulations.

The towering concrete kerb in Orpington's Nugent Shopping Park was planted in the shopping centre's car park, which opened in 2006.

But since then the kerb has scuffed, scratched and dented cars attempting to navigate around the shopping centre in Cray Avenue.

Motorists have pleaded with developers British Land for compensation but have been turned away by the company's insurers, Royal and Sunalliance, who claim the kerb met planning regulations.

But despite British Land's refusal to claim responsibility or pay out compensation, the kerb was removed last week.

One motorist claims the design of the kerb was at fault for the £700 dent in her silver Peugeot 206 in December last year.

Carol Carey, 47, of Lockesley Drive, Orpington, said: "I am pleased that they are changing the kerb so it doesn't affect any more drivers but I am a little bit angry that this happened to my car, through no fault of my own.

"I consider myself a careful driver and haven't claimed on my insurance for seven years."

The receptionist added: "By doing this the company is proving that there was a problem and are nervous about future claims."

Last year the News Shopper was inundated with letters and complaints about the piece of concrete, which was dubbed by one out-of-pocket reader as the "Wall of Shame".

A spokesman for British Land says the kerb had always met planning regulations and only around 20 drivers had attempted to make a claim in the last 21 months.

The spokesman added: "The fact that some two million cars have been in and out of the park without incident since it opened supports that fact.

"However, a handful of drivers reported that they have damaged their cars when leaving.

"We want all drivers to have a good shopping experience and so have reshaped and graduated the kerb in the interests of all.

"There is no admission of fault but we'd rather see our customers be happy shoppers."