Bollard spacing on single and multi-car driveways

There are plenty of locations that need protective measures to keep people safe. You won't find a universal solution though. Different places will require their own barriers. Some will need bollards for instance. They are primarily focused on preventing vehicles from getting to where they are not supposed to be.

Spacing problems

Incorrect bollard spacing when installing them on driveways is a recurring mistake many make. You can have issues if you have them too close together or too far apart.

With spacing that is too close, you are wasting money by purchasing more than you need. At the same time, you could be obstructing pedestrian traffic. Or, you might limit vehicle access. Laws exist governing pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow to stop obstructions.

For spacing that is too far apart, you may be negating the strength and impact resistance. Many bollards working together are far more efficient than only one bollard attempting to stop a vehicle. Even worse, if a car is compact and narrow, a thief might simply drive through the gap.

As we've explained, bollard spacing matters. You need to consider this when preparing to buy and install them to deter or stop car theft. We are here to help by discussing placement on single-car vs multi-car driveways.

Space them effectively

1.2 metres is a decent rule-of-thumb for spacing. Yet, the driveway design can force you to adjust and alter the gap.

For a single-car driveway in the UK, the spacing between them needs to be at least 1.2 metres. This is typically sufficient to ensure that you could effectively block unwanted access. At the same time, you can still allow for easy and smooth pedestrian movement. You just need to make sure you adjust the spacing accordingly. It will depend on your driveway's width. This is while you are not obstructing daily use.

For the majority of UK single-car driveways, two or three bollards should be sufficient to block the whole drive. Also, make certain you space them out in a manner that is not inconvenient. You shouldn't need to retract them to go cycling or walking.

For multi-car driveways, you might want to think about altering the spacing to between 1.2 and 1.5 metres. This should supply you with maximum security. You need to consider all users too.

Mixing styles

Let's say you are trying to optimise the bollard placement for securing vehicular or driveway access. You might be able to mix and match separate styles. Depending on your access requirements and needs, you might want to combine fixed as well as retractable or removable models. This should offer you a more flexible approach. Here, you can retract enough of them to ensure suitable vehicular access day-to-day. Also, you'd have the option to open your driveway up completely if needed.

Browse bollards or ask us

At Barrier Mart, we have plenty of high quality products available to buy. These include cast in and surface mounted bollard designs. We manufacture them in-house for quality control. Moreover, our team can install them nationwide, including on different driveways.

So, if you'd like to work with us to choose and install bollards, please get in touch. We help clients to protect driveways, car parks, and many other areas.