A SENIOR councillor has called for independent experts to investigate after a Metroshuttle bus fell victim to Manchester's notorious rising bollards.

Town hall officers have launched a probe into the crash on St Mary's Gate on Friday afternoon which resulted in six passengers being taken to hospital with minor injuries. They included a six-year-old girl, who suffered head injuries and a broken elbow.

Marc Ramsbottom, a member of the Lib-Dem opposition representing the city centre, said the Health and Safety Executive should be drafted in to carry out an inquiry. "The bollards were put in place to reduce the number of pedestrians being run over and have been very successful," he said. "But if bus passengers are now being injured, then it is six-of-one and half-a-dozen of the other.

"Clearly, a full explanation is needed because this could happen again at peak time when the bus is full with people standing.

"The HSE should carry out a thorough and open investigation into this accident. The outcome needs to be made public."

The council has already confirmed that the bollards - which are supposed to fall to allow Metroshuttle buses, taxis and other public vehicles to pass through, before rising again to keep general motorists out - will continue to operate.

Officers are studying CCTV footage and the bollard computer system to find out why Friday's accident happened. They will also interview the driver and witnesses.

A number of cars have been damaged by the bollards while trying to tailgate buses and several had to be written-off.

The council has previously shown little sympathy, as the bollards are legal and clearly signposted

Coun Richard Cowell said: "We are conducting a thorough investigation to find out why the Metroshuttle bus struck the rising bollards.

"The bollards are part of a vital safety scheme which the council implemented around St Mary's Gate and Corporation Street, which had become a hotspot area because of the high number of injuries to pedestrians.

"As a result, there has been an 87 per cent reduction in collisions in that area in the two-and-a-half years since the bollard scheme was implemented and fully operational."

Engineers have removed the bollard broken in the crash outside Marks and Spencer. It will be replaced. The other two sets, on Corporation Street, have continued to operate.

No one from bus company First was available to comment.