Welcome to the Bollards FAQ hub — your go-to guide for all things bollard-related. Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about fixed, removable, retractable, and fold-down bollards. Whether you’re protecting a driveway, car park, or commercial site, our bollards provide reliable safety, access control, and long-term durability. Every Aremco bollard is manufactured in the UK using high-grade steel, galvanised for corrosion resistance and powder coated in your chosen RAL colour. Learn more about installation methods, finishes, maintenance, and costs below — plus discover which bollard type is best for your security or traffic management needs.
A bollard is a short, strong steel post used to improve security, safety, and vehicle access control across residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Bollards protect people, property, and vehicles by guiding traffic, restricting access, and preventing collisions in busy or high-risk areas.
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture UK-made bollards including fixed, removable, and retractable (telescopic) options. Each bollard is made from heavy-duty galvanised steel, available in a range of powder-coated finishes and colours to suit any location.
Installing security bollards improves driveway protection, car park safety, and access control, while deterring unauthorised entry and vehicle theft. Our durable, low-maintenance bollard solutions provide reliable protection for homes, businesses, and public spaces across the UK.
Choosing the right bollard depends on where it will be used and the level of security, access control, and impact protection you need.
For driveway security and residential access, retractable (telescopic bollards) or removable bollards are ideal — they offer strong protection when locked upright but can be lowered or removed for easy vehicle access.
For car parks, loading bays, and industrial sites, fixed steel bollards are a great option. They provide constant protection against accidental impact, ram-raid attempts, and unauthorised entry.
If you’re securing a commercial property, shopfront, or public space, consider a mix of decorative and high-security bollards to balance aesthetics and performance.
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture all types of UK-made bollards — fixed, removable, and telescopic — from heavy-duty galvanised steel with a choice of powder-coated finishes. Our team can help you select the best bollard solution for your specific site, ensuring the perfect combination of safety, security, and style.
Most bollards are made from heavy-duty steel, chosen for its strength, durability, and long-lasting protection against impact and corrosion. At Aremco Barriers, all our UK-made steel bollards are galvanised to prevent rust and can be powder-coated in any RAL colour for a smart, professional finish.
For higher levels of security and impact resistance, we use thick-gauge mild steel to create fixed, removable, and retractable (telescopic) bollards that perform in even the toughest environments — from car parks and industrial estates to driveways and commercial properties.
In some cases, stainless steel bollards or polymer-coated finishes are used for decorative or low-impact areas, but galvanised steel remains the most reliable choice for long-term security, vehicle protection, and access control.
Every Aremco bollard combines British manufacturing quality with low maintenance and high performance, ensuring total protection for your site year after year.
The height, diameter, and installation depth of a bollard depend on its purpose and the level of vehicle protection or access control required.
In most UK installations, bollards stand between 900mm and 1200mm above ground, which provides clear visibility for drivers while effectively stopping vehicles from entering restricted areas. Driveway bollards and car park bollards typically follow this height range for both safety and practicality.
The diameter of a steel bollard usually ranges from 90mm to 200mm, depending on the impact resistance needed — smaller diameters for light traffic or decorative use, and larger posts for high-security or industrial applications.
As a rule of thumb, at least 25–30% of the bollard’s total length should be below ground, set into a concrete foundation to ensure maximum stability and strength. For example, a 1000mm-high bollard would generally require a 300–400mm installation depth.
At Aremco Barriers, our UK-made steel bollards are precision-engineered to meet these standards. Whether you’re fitting fixed, removable, or retractable (telescopic) bollards, we provide detailed installation guidance to guarantee correct positioning, secure anchoring, and long-term performance.
The spacing between bollards is crucial to ensure proper vehicle control, pedestrian safety, and site compliance. In the UK, the ideal bollard spacing depends on the type of traffic and the level of protection required.
For vehicle security and access control, bollards are typically spaced 1.2 to 1.5 metres apart (centre-to-centre). This prevents cars and vans from passing through, while still allowing clear pedestrian and wheelchair access in accordance with UK accessibility standards.
In car parks, industrial sites, and driveways, this spacing also ensures maximum visibility and impact resistance. Tighter spacing may be used for high-security areas, while wider spacing suits low-risk or decorative applications.
At Aremco Barriers, all our UK-made steel bollards — including fixed, removable, and retractable (telescopic) models — are designed and installed to meet these recommended spacing guidelines. We provide full advice to ensure every bollard system is both effective and compliant with UK safety and accessibility regulations.
The correct installation and foundation design are essential to make any bollard system safe, stable, and long-lasting. The specific method depends on the bollard type (fixed, removable, or retractable) and the ground surface.
Fixed steel bollards are normally embedded into concrete foundations for maximum strength and impact resistance. In most UK installations, the bollard base is set 300–500mm below ground in a concrete footing at least 300mm in diameter, ensuring secure anchorage and long-term stability.
Removable bollards use ground sleeves or lockable sockets fixed into the concrete base, allowing the post to be lifted out when temporary access is needed.
Retractable (telescopic bollards) are installed using a pre-formed steel casing, concreted into the ground to the manufacturer’s specified depth — typically 700–900mm, depending on the model and the required security rating.
All Aremco Barriers’ UK-made steel bollards come with detailed installation and foundation guidance. Each design is engineered for strength, durability, and compliance with UK access and safety standards, ensuring reliable performance in driveways, car parks, and commercial or industrial sites.
Bollards are designed with different impact ratings depending on whether they’re intended for security protection or traffic control.
For traffic management, such as in car parks, driveways, or pedestrian zones, standard steel bollards provide effective vehicle guidance and deterrence against low-speed impact. These are ideal for everyday access control and site safety without needing formal crash testing.
For high-security applications, impact-resistant bollards are PAS 68 or IWA 14-1 certified — the recognised UK and international crash-rating standards. These bollards are engineered and tested to stop moving vehicles travelling at specific speeds and weights (for example, a 7.5-tonne truck at 40 mph).
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture UK-made steel bollards for both traffic control and security protection. Our fixed, removable, and retractable (telescopic) bollards are built from heavy-duty galvanised steel, offering the perfect balance of impact resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Whether you need to protect a driveway, shopfront, or high-risk site, we can advise on the best specification for your security level and installation requirements.
Yes — removable and collapsible (retractable or telescopic) bollards are excellent options when you need both security and flexible access control.
These bollards provide strong vehicle protection when locked upright but can be easily lowered or removed to allow entry for authorised vehicles, deliveries, or emergency access. This makes them ideal for driveways, car parks, gated developments, and restricted zones that need occasional access without compromising safety.
Removable bollards fit into a ground socket that locks securely in place and can be lifted out when required. Retractable or telescopic bollards slide into a built-in underground casing, offering a neat and low-maintenance solution for driveway security and commercial sites.
At Aremco Barriers, our UK-made steel bollards are galvanised and powder-coated for durability, weather resistance, and long service life. We supply fixed, removable, and retractable options to suit every site, providing effective vehicle access management for homes, businesses, and public areas across the UK.
In the UK and Europe, bollards are governed by several safety, security, and accessibility standards to ensure they perform correctly and comply with local regulations.
For high-security applications, the main standards are PAS 68 (UK) and IWA 14-1 (International) — both define impact and crash-resistance levels for bollards and barriers. These certifications confirm a bollard’s ability to stop moving vehicles of specific weights and speeds.
For general traffic-control bollards, compliance with BS EN 1991 (impact loads), BS 8300 (accessibility), and Equality Act 2010 requirements helps ensure safe pedestrian and wheelchair access between posts (typically 1.2 m clear spacing).
Local planning permission may be required if bollards are installed on public land or affect vehicle access, while fire and emergency services must always be considered — many sites use removable or collapsible bollards to maintain emergency vehicle access at all times.
In the US, the equivalent standards include ASTM F2656, DoS K-ratings, and ADA accessibility guidelines.
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture UK-made steel bollards to meet these national and international standards, offering compliant solutions for traffic control, security, and emergency access across commercial, residential, and public environments.
Most bollards are designed to be low-maintenance, but regular care helps extend their lifespan and maintain both performance and appearance.
For fixed steel bollards, the main upkeep involves cleaning, checking for corrosion, and touching up powder-coated finishes where necessary. Keeping the base area free from debris also prevents water pooling and rust.
Removable and retractable (telescopic) bollards need occasional lubrication of moving parts, locks, and sockets to ensure smooth operation. It’s also important to clear dirt or grit from the ground sleeve to prevent sticking or jamming — especially in areas with high vehicle use or exposure to road salt.
All Aremco Barriers’ UK-made bollards are galvanised for corrosion protection and powder-coated for durability, making them highly resistant to weather and wear. With basic maintenance, they’ll deliver long-term driveway security, vehicle protection, and car park safety for many years.
Modern bollards come in a wide range of finishes, colours, and styles, allowing you to match security with site aesthetics.
At Aremco Barriers, all UK-made steel bollards are hot-dip galvanised for superior corrosion protection, then powder-coated in any RAL colour to suit your surroundings or branding. Popular choices include RAL 1021 Traffic Yellow for high visibility, RAL 9005 Black for a sleek, professional look, and RAL 6005 Green for parks and landscaped areas.
Optional reflective bands improve visibility in low-light conditions, while plastic or stainless-steel covers can enhance appearance and further protect the bollard surface. Decorative bollards can also be styled with rounded, flat, or domed tops to complement modern or heritage settings.
These aesthetic options do not compromise strength or performance — the galvanised steel core provides full impact resistance and long-term durability. Whether you’re installing driveway bollards, car park barriers, or commercial access control systems, Aremco Barriers can customise finishes to deliver both functionality and visual appeal.
The service life of a bollard depends on its material, finish, and exposure conditions, but well-manufactured steel bollards can last 20 years or more with minimal maintenance.
At Aremco Barriers, all UK-made bollards are hot-dip galvanised to protect against corrosion and then powder-coated for added weather resistance and long-term durability. This dual finish significantly extends lifespan, even in harsh environments like car parks, industrial estates, and coastal areas.
To minimise wear and damage, periodic cleaning and inspection are recommended. Removable and retractable (telescopic) bollards benefit from occasional lubrication of moving parts, while reflective bands or protective sleeves can reduce surface scratching.
For vandal-prone or high-impact sites, reinforced anti-ram bollards and security-grade fittings provide extra protection against deliberate damage or collision.
With correct installation and routine upkeep, Aremco’s steel security bollards deliver decades of reliable protection, maintaining both appearance and performance across driveways, commercial sites, and public areas throughout the UK.
The cost of a bollard in the UK varies depending on size, material, finish, and installation requirements.
On average, standard fixed steel bollards start from around £80–£150 each, while removable and retractable (telescopic) bollards typically range from £180–£400, depending on the specification. Heavy-duty security bollards and PAS 68 crash-rated systems can cost more due to their reinforced design and impact-testing certification.
Key factors influencing price include:
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture UK-made steel bollards to suit all budgets — from driveway security posts and car park barriers to high-security installations. Every bollard is designed for long-term value, combining strength, low maintenance, and professional installation support.
When specifying or installing bollards, avoiding a few common mistakes will ensure maximum safety, functionality, and longevity.
At Aremco Barriers, we manufacture UK-made steel bollards designed for simple installation, long-term durability, and compliance with all relevant standards. Our team provides expert guidance to help you specify the right product and install it correctly — ensuring dependable driveway security, car park safety, and vehicle impact protection for years to come.
Bollards play a key role in wider security and access control systems, helping to manage vehicle movement, protect property, and enhance pedestrian safety.
In a traffic management context, bollards define boundaries, control entry points, and prevent unauthorised parking or access. When combined with gates, barriers, or automatic entry systems, they create a coordinated vehicle control solution that balances security with convenience.
Within a security strategy, fixed steel bollards protect buildings and infrastructure from vehicle impact, while retractable and removable bollards allow controlled access for staff, residents, or emergency vehicles. Crash-rated bollards can also be integrated into high-security perimeters alongside CCTV, ANPR cameras, and smart entry systems.
At Aremco Barriers, our UK-made steel bollards are engineered to work seamlessly within broader access control and traffic management systems — ensuring effective vehicle restriction, pedestrian flow, and site protection for car parks, industrial estates, retail parks, and driveways across the UK.
