In a previous blog post, we detailed our installation of a bollard at Abbey Square Gateway. In addition to this high-profile project, Maxiflow were also contracted to carry out the excavation and installation of a new automatic bollard system at Chester’s Quarry Car Park, in partnership with MACS Bollards.

Quarry Car Park is a small, private parking facility off Northgate Street, and is owned by Chester Cathedral. The entrance was previously regulated by a rising barrier arm, which unfortunately proved to be a prime target for vandals.

Faced with the costs and wasted time associated with repairing and replacing the barrier, the Cathedral decided to take a different approach and implement an entirely new automatic bollard system.

The diagram above maps out the area where the new system was installed, and the following points of interest are labelled in the images below:

1. The bollard itself
2. The safety induction loops
3. The control cabinet
4. The status lights and access control post

The first task involved excavating a trench for the bollard (A). The bottom of the trench was bedded with gravel, and the sides were lined with concrete and cement to give the bollard maximum strength and stability. The bollard itself is housed within a hydraulic mechanism, which enables it to rise and fall smoothly.

To allow for the electrical connections and sensors to be laid along the ground, the existing roadway surface had to be stripped away on either side of the bollard.

During the planning stages, it was noted that ducting installed for the previous barrier arm system could be re-purposed for the bollard. The location marked at (C) connects to the ducts and was chosen to be the site for the bollard system’s control box.

The empty bollard housing (A) in the above photograph demonstrates that the bollard itself is a separate element. If damaged, the bollard can be removed without dismantling the rest of the system.

After smoothing the base, an initial layer of tarmac was laid to protect the underside of the induction loop cabling (B). This cabling is pressure-sensitive and is used to detect the approach and departure of vehicles.

This is an important safety feature, as it ensures that the bollard does not rise up underneath a vehicle. This could damage both the bollard and the vehicle and potentially endanger the driver. Induction loops are a smarter alternative than having the bollard rise and fall on a timer, as it allows for greater flexibility in relation to traffic tailbacks and cars breaking down or stalling at inconvenient moments.

Once the induction loop cabling is laid and connected, another layer of tarmac on top forms the new road surface.

Authorised drivers can raise and lower the bollard by using a keycard or keycard with the control post (D). The post displays two clusters of 25 LEDs which light up green or red to give a clear visual cue to drivers when it is safe to pass through.

With the control post, control box and and bollard in place, the system is complete and ready for use. We would like to once again thank MACS Bollards for their work in bringing this project to completion.

• View more photos
• Read more about Maxiflow Civil and Groundworks services
• Our previous article on the automated bollard at Abbey Square Gateway