Bollards to prevent driving and parking on footpaths

The safety of pedestrians is absolutely crucial in areas where they are moving around in close proximity to vehicles. This could be on their street, in the city or town centre, or in a car park. It could also be workplaces such as warehouses, factories, and construction sites. It can be vital to use protective measures like bollards and barriers to prevent accidents.

One situation where it can be wise to use a bollard or a series of them is to protect pavements. These are the domain of people on foot. However, there can be cases when you can get vehicles driving or parking on them. That can be dangerous, obstructive, and a major annoyance.

The law

Driving on the pavement is illegal in all parts of the UK. It has been the case since the Highways Act 1835. There are only a few exceptions when it is acceptable. This includes when crossing it to access a driveway or to enter a site such as a park or car park. It can also be allowed in emergency situations.

The law with parking is a bit different. In London it has been illegal to park on a pavement anywhere in the city since 1974. This is part of the Greater London Council (General Powers Act). You can also find it in the Highway Code. It means people can't park any part of a vehicle on a pavement unless there is an emergency or they are unloading/loading goods.

However, elsewhere there is no concrete law to prohibit it. Instead drivers are given advice that they should not park on a pavement. The Highway Code does specify you must not park with a vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position where it can cause an obstruction.

Using bollards

Some local authorities and private land owners take steps to protect pavements. They can do this by using posts to prevent vehicles from driving or parking on a pavement. You can see it often in busy locations. These are spots where they don't want people to stop and leave cars.

The posts can be particularly good for narrow streets. They provide two benefits here. First they ensure the pavements are unencumbered so pedestrians don't have to step into the roadway. That is especially important for wheelchairs and prams. Secondly, they stop people from parking where it can prevent other vehicles from getting through.

Do you want to order quality products?

Barrier Mart is one of the best specialists in the UK if you need products like bollards and barriers. We can offer solutions for a massive selection of needs. Every type of product we offer is durable and reliable. We can also arrange installation for clients. This ensures you get the highest standards.

So, if you need to protect pavements to ensure people don't drive or park on them, you can rely on us. Browse our website or get in touch.