What is a bollard?
A bollard is a post which is commonly used to restrict vehicle access and enhance safety. For instance, bollards are commonly used to prevent vehicles from parking in certain areas such as private parking bays or to prevent vehicle access to pedestrianised zones. They are also often placed on pavements to prevent cars mounting the pavement and endangering pedestrians. Due to the high visibility design, bollards are also used to help guide motorists when parking and in turn assist to protect surrounding infrastructure such as fences and walls. Bollards are available in a variety of colours and designs including fixed, folding, removable and telescopic solutions.
What types of bollards available?
At The Ramp People we offer a range of fixed bollards, folding bollards, telescopic bollards and removable bollards.
- Fixed Bollards - These bollards are secured to the ground and are designed to remain upright at all times. They are commonly used at the end of parking bays to alert motorists to the end of the bay and prevent drivers from mounting the kerb, in turn protecting pedestrians and surrounding structures.
- Folding Bollards - Folding bollards are generally a surface fixed solution which can easily be installed by a handyman or confident DIYer. Folding bollards are a popular choice for those seeking to prevent unauthorised cars and vehicles parking in their driveway or designated car parking space at home or on commercial premises. Produced from steel, the bollards are heavy duty and therefore may opt to secure the bollards in an upright position when parked for security as they can assist to deter vehicle thefts. Available in yellow, silver or red and silver, we have a wide selection to meet your requirements. For additional security, we also offer a wide folding bollard. All of the folding bollards are provided on a hinge to make them easy to lift up and down and including a locking key for security.
- Telescopic Bollards - Telescopic bollards, also known as retractable bollards, sink into the ground when they are not in use. They are a popular choice for businesses and commercial premises due to the minimialistic approach when stored. Like with folding bollards, these are used to prevent unauthorised vehicles from parking in driveways and parking bays and are also used to enhance security and restrict access when required. Easy to use, the bollard can simply be pulled up into position when required. For telescopic solutions, a builder is generally required to install these as the base of the bollard needs to be sunken under ground level.
- Removeable Parking Bollard - Like the Telescopic Bollards, the base of the Removable Parking Bollard is often sunken into the ground however surface-mounted solutions are also available. The bollard itself is then simply attached to the base as and when required. These bollards are commonly used to restrict vehicle access either to parking bays or pedestrianised zones for limited periods of time. They are commonly used in public areas to restrict vehicle access where roads are pedestrianised at specific times of the day. They are also often used in business car parks and forecourts to restrict vehicle access overnight when the business is closed.
- Security Posts with Eyelets - Security posts and bollards with eyelets are designed to allow users to attach a rope or chain to the bollard to temporarily restrict vehicle and pedestrian access when needed. They may be used to restrict access when loading and unloading is occurring or to reserve parking spaces. In some instances, a sign is placed on the rope or chain to alert pedestrians to which route they should walk or to an event that is occurring.
Do I require planning permission do install a bollard?
Generally, planning permission is not required to install a parking bollard as most are surface-mounted and can be removed when required. As you will need to drill into the ground, you will of course recommend gaining permission from the landowner. If you wish to install the bollard on a listed building's ground, you are likely to require permission as it may affect the aesthetic features of the property. It is important not to install the bollard on public land without permission from the council. You should also ensure the bollard does not intrude on public land, for example, if you purchase a folding barrier, when folded you should ensure it remains on your property rather than ending on the pavement as this could cause trip hazards for pedestrians.
Can parking bollards act as a deterrent to car thieves?
Yes, parking bollards are commonly used as a deterrent against car theft. The bollards can be secured in front of a parked vehicle, making it harder for thieves to quickly and quietly steal a parked car without detection. The bollards are produced from steel, which makes them hard to bend or knock down. The telescopic / retractable bollards are sunken into the ground for ultimate strength and security and are therefore the best solution when seeking a bollard to deter thieves. Some car insurance companies have been known to offer a discount for those with bollards installed on their property.
What impact can the parking bollards withstand?
The parking bollards and security posts are produced from steel in order to withstand impact from vandals or slow-moving vehicles such as cars. As they are designed to act as an alert to motorists, they have not been force tested.
How easy is it to install a driveway bollard?
The time taken varies depending on your chosen bollard. Our folding bollards are surface mounted and provided with pre-drilled fixing points and fixings for ease of installation. Installation for these generally takes under 30 minutes. For the telescopic bollards, additional work is required as the bollard base is located underground. It generally takes 1-2 hours to install a telescopic bollard. We recommend for these to be installed by a confident builder.
What should I consider when installing a bollard?
We recommend considering the area where you plan to have the bollard, for example if it is a high traffic area you may wish to consider a post with a reflective design for high visibility. If you are installing a retractable barrier which is sunken below the ground ensure to check for any pipes or wiring in the area prior to installation. It is also important to install the bollard in a safe location, for example it should not block fire or emergency exits. Consider where your bollard will be used, for instance if the bollard will be located on a commercial premises you may wish to select an option with several keys to ensure all employees are able to operate the bollard when required. If you require an asthetically pleasing solution, for instance if the bollard will be located on a business forecourt, a telescopic solution maybe preferable as these can be sunken into the ground when not in use. If your car has low clearance we recommend checking the folded height of the barrier to ensure your car can safely pass over this. Please do of course ensure you have the landowners permission prior to installation.
Do The Ramp People install bollards?
As an online business we only supply bollards, we do not install then. Our folding bollards are provided with fixings and can be installed by a handyman or confident DIYer. Our Telescopic and Removeable Parking Bollards should be installed by a confident builder as grounds work is required.
Are The Ramp People's bollards and security posts suitable for commercial use?
Yes, our range of bollards are supplied to businesses and individuals across the UK and Ireland.
Do you provide replacement keys for the security bollards?
All bollards are provided with at least one spare key. We do not stock replacement sets of keys as, for security, all keys are unique to the specific bollards.
Can you provide a number of bollards which utilise the same key?
No, for security all of our bollards have unique locks installed which are provided with unique keys.
What maintenace do bollards require?
Bollards should be reguarly check for signs of damage or corrosion. Regularly check the bollard is in working order, for example it still folds or lifts from the ground. Lubrication of the bollard may be required if the bollard is stiff. Dirt and debries should be wiped off or removed for example with a wet cloth.
To learn more about choosing the right security bollard for your needs, please view our Parking Bollard Buying Guide.
