THE ROLE OF PARKING BOLLARDS AS DESIGN ELEMENTS IN URBAN LANDSCAPES
Street furniture is probably one of those aspects of public spaces that you don’t actually notice, unless it is really ugly – at which point it can stick out like a sore thumb and be equally consistently irritating.
Many local councils have firm guidelines when it comes to the choice of street furniture – and this naturally will cover a parking bollard’s installation in public and commercial spaces.
What are General Street Furniture Guidelines?
While each area and district has its own rules, depending on the architectural and historical importance of the area, generally, street furniture needs to:
- Visually enhance or complement the existing area, taking into account the natural, historic, architectural and natural surroundings. This includes materials used, any specific designs and markings, dimensions, and any other characteristics.
- Make a positive contribution to the way in which the space is used and how it affects the well-being of the people who use that space.
- Take into account environmental issues.
- Take into account accessibility either on foot or in vehicles.
Do You Need to Seek Building Permission for a Bollard Installation?
If you are considering security bollards installation, it is important to check whether or not you will need to have approval from your local council. Chances are, if it is a simple domestic installation in a normal suburban street, then no permission will be required. However, if your property is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, an area of historical importance or a preservation area, then you will need to consult the local planning office and check whether your parking bollard installation needs to meet certain design criteria.
If unsure how to go about this, Google ‘bollard installation contractors near me’ and seek out a reputable company. Your local bollard installation experts will deal with the bureaucracy and compulsory paperwork behind installations all the time and will know immediately whether or not you will need to make a formal application.
Browse Bison’s Supply and Fit Options
If you do need permission, then you will need to follow your local authority’s guidelines around the design of the safety bollard installation. If no permission is required, then you have greater freedom to choose the design of the bollards.
Bison has extensive experience working with local planners and urban architects to ensure that our bollard installation projects meet individual guidelines as stipulated by the council offices. As a result, our wide range of telescopic bollards installation products are either developed with planners in mind or can be finished in an array of colours and finishes that meet regulations.
Browse Bison’s Bollard Installation Products
Parking Bollard Installation Checklist
If you have the freedom to choose your own security bollards, we have highlighted the key areas you need to consider when making your selection.
Number of Vehicles
First and foremost, how many vehicles or parking spaces are you looking to protect? Do you have a single driveway or a larger private car parking area that houses several cars that are coming and going throughout the day? Is it a single space that you are looking to cordon off, or is it a general space where you want to restrict access?
Daily Comings and Goings
Are the vehicles on your premises coming and going at all times of the day and night, or is it simply a case of leaving in the morning and coming back at the end of the day? Removing and replacing the bollards each and every time can slow you down as you go about your day, so you may want to consider automatic controlled bollards, which can be remotely operated by those who have been given access.
Aesthetics
Whichever options you go for, they are going to make up part of your overall landscape. Whether you are a private individual securing the vehicles on your home site or a commercial property owner specifying a security bollards installation to protect your own and others’ cars against potential theft, you will want to make sure that the products you select fit into the overall environment. Read through again the guidelines laid out for street furniture above. Although they may not be compulsory for you, following these guidelines will give you a framework within which you can choose the style and design of parking bollard installation.
Visibility
Ultimately, a parking bollard’s installation is there to act as a deterrent to potential thieves. Should an individual with the wrong intentions see your bollards, they should be able to recognise instinctively that they will not be able to manoeuvre any vehicles out of your space.
Parking Bollard Installation Near Me
For help and assistance in selecting the best safety bollard installation, Bison is there to assist you through every step, from initial planning to final installation.