Bath, UK

Heald was selected for the project due to the need for both shallow and ultra-shallow mounted security bollards due to the scale of underground infrastructure, which would provide protection from vehicle-borne threats.

The requirements called for a combination of fixed, shallow bollards and electromechanically operable, sliding bollards.

Bath and North East Somerset Council recognised that there were several areas within the City of Bath which were vulnerable to vehicle as a weapon (VAW) attack. Additionally, the unique geography and topography of the city presented additional challenges.

Built on the natural Hot Springs, the old Roman City features a multitude of underground cellars and modern service ducts. Certain locations also faced additional challenges due to steep inclines

To meet these requirements and address installation challenges, Heald supplied two of its leading products:

• 4 HT3-EM Matador 4: Featuring two fixed and two sliding bollards on a surface-mounted base, offering Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) with minimal disruption for quick, adaptable security for events or permanent sites, tested to demanding standards including IWA 14-1, and is VADS rated.
• 1 HT2-EM Matador 5: Featuring two Static Bollards with three central Dynamic Bollards, allowing for a wider opening aperture.
• 21 APEX shallow mount bollards: Part of Heald’s ultra-shallow bollard range, these stainless steel bollards are ideal for environments with limited excavation depth. The APEX Bollard offers high performance in a compact format and has been crash-tested in an array of 3 against a 7.2-tonne truck travelling at 64kph.

To address challenges with steep inclines, our engineering team worked closely with the project team at Bath and North East Somerset Council to adapt the APEX joining plate. As a result, a cranked joining plate was designed to enable installation on steeper inclines.

Additionally, as different areas required protection from different speeds, this meant that bollards had different core sizes. To ensure seamless integration and provide the city with a consistent aesthetic, 306mm bollard covers were used across the Matador range, while 273mm bollard covers were used across the APEX.

Volker Highways completed the Civil Engineering aspects of the project to ensure a seamless installation process.

The installation of Heald bollards in the City of Bath not only strengthened its physical security but also demonstrated a commitment to preserving public safety without compromising the rich heritage, retaining business continuity and accessibility for residents and visitors.

Commenting on the install, Heald Engineering Department Manager, George Beastall said, “The success of the project is in no small part down to the early collaboration and constant communication between B&NES Council Highways Team and Heald to ensure that challenges were overcome, both as pre-planned solutions and as reactive solutions during the build stage and that the future proofing solutions have already proved invaluable”.