7 Problems Bollards Can Solve on Your Site

1. Unauthorised parking

Unauthorised parking can be a persistent problem for businesses, local authorities and property managers. Vehicles may park on pavements, pedestrian areas, loading zones, landscaped areas or in front of entrances, creating disruption for people using the site.

Bollards provide a physical deterrent that can prevent vehicles from accessing areas where they should not be. They can be installed along kerbs, around entrances or at the edge of pedestrian areas to clearly define where vehicles can and cannot go.

Unlike signs or road markings alone, bollards provide a physical restriction. This makes them particularly useful in locations where vehicles regularly ignore designated parking arrangements.

Depending on the site, fixed bollards can provide permanent protection, while removable or retractable options can allow authorised vehicles to access the area when required.

2. Unwanted vehicle access

Some areas need to remain completely or largely free from vehicles. Pedestrian zones, cycle routes, courtyards, landscaped areas and private access roads can all benefit from controlled vehicle access.

Bollards can create a clear physical boundary between vehicle and pedestrian areas, helping to prevent drivers from entering restricted spaces.

The type of bollard you choose will depend on how the area is used. Fixed bollards are suitable where access should be permanently restricted, while removable bollards can be taken out when occasional access is required.

Where vehicles need to enter and exit regularly, automatic bollards can provide a more flexible access control solution.

3. Vehicle damage to buildings and property

Vehicles do not always have to be travelling at high speed to cause significant damage. A reversing vehicle, delivery van or poorly judged manoeuvre can result in damage to walls, doors, windows, gates and other vulnerable areas.

Bollards can help create a protective buffer between vehicles and buildings or other assets. They are often installed outside entrances, along building frontages and around areas where vehicles regularly manoeuvre.

For general vehicle protection, robust steel bollards can provide a practical solution. Where a site has a higher security requirement or faces a specific vehicle threat, specialist security or HVM bollards may need to be considered.

The important thing is to assess the likely vehicle movements and level of risk before selecting a bollard.

4. Poor separation between vehicles and pedestrians

When pedestrians and vehicles use the same space, clearly defining their respective areas can help improve safety and site organisation.

This is particularly important in busy environments such as town centres, commercial developments, shopping areas, schools, transport hubs and public spaces.

Bollards can help create a visible and physical separation between pedestrians and vehicles without requiring large barriers or fencing.

They can also contribute to the overall appearance of the space. Decorative bollards are available in a wide range of styles, materials and finishes, allowing vehicle management measures to be incorporated into the wider public realm design.

Careful positioning is important. Bollards should provide effective separation while maintaining suitable pedestrian routes and access for all users.

5. Damage to street furniture and other equipment

Street furniture can be vulnerable to accidental vehicle impact, particularly when it is positioned close to roads, parking areas or loading zones.

Benches, litter bins, cycle stands, planters, signage and other equipment can all be damaged by vehicles. Replacing damaged furniture can be costly and may also create disruption for the people using the site. Bollards can be used to provide an additional layer of protection around vulnerable street furniture and equipment.

For example, a row of bollards could be positioned between a parking area and a pedestrian zone containing benches and litter bins. This creates a physical buffer that reduces the likelihood of vehicles reaching the furniture.

As well as protecting individual products, this approach can help extend the lifespan of wider public realm installations.

6. Poor traffic management and unclear vehicle routes

Bollards can also help organise how vehicles move around a site.

Where vehicle routes, pedestrian areas and restricted zones are not clearly defined, drivers may take unsuitable routes, enter areas they shouldn't or manoeuvre too close to buildings and people.

Strategically positioned bollards can help guide vehicles through the areas intended for them while discouraging access to others. This can be particularly useful in car parks, commercial sites, service areas and public realm schemes where different users need to share the same environment.

Bollards should be considered as part of the wider site layout rather than as an isolated feature. Combining them with appropriate signage, road markings, kerbs and other traffic management measures can create a clearer and more intuitive environment.

7. Increased security requirements

For some sites, the concern goes beyond parking or accidental vehicle impact. Certain buildings, public spaces and high-profile locations may need to consider the risk of deliberate vehicle attack.

In these circumstances, standard street furniture bollards may not provide the required level of protection.

Hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) bollards are designed and tested to resist vehicle impacts and can form part of a wider security strategy. The appropriate solution depends on factors such as the potential vehicle threat, approach speed, vehicle weight, stand-off distance and site layout.

It's important not to assume that a visually substantial bollard provides a particular level of impact protection. Where vehicle attack is a consideration, products should be selected based on appropriate testing and certification for the required application.

Choosing the right bollard for your site

As these examples show, there is no single type of bollard that is suitable for every application.

The right choice will depend on what you are trying to achieve and the environment in which the bollards will be installed.

Factors to consider include:

• Purpose: Are you controlling parking, protecting property, managing access or separating pedestrians and vehicles?
• Location: Where will the bollards be installed and what surrounds them?
• Vehicle movements: What types of vehicles use the site and how frequently?
• Access requirements: Does authorised vehicle access need to be maintained?
• Appearance: Should the bollards complement existing street furniture and architecture?
• Installation: What fixing or foundation arrangement is suitable for the site?
• Level of protection: Is general vehicle control sufficient, or is a higher level of security required?

Considering these factors at the design stage can help ensure that the bollards provide the intended level of protection without creating unnecessary restrictions for other site users.