Safe Speed Forums

That article seems to say that the bollards are designed to retract to avoid tailgating cars, but it's clear from the video this isn't happening. It also said that the same company had installed similar bollards at 12 different locations around Manchester and more elsewhere. Presumably they don't all suffer the same problem, so what's the difference?

Bollards are NOT spearing cars, claims maker Mike Keegan

MANCHESTER'S infamous traffic bollards meet all government safety guidelines - and do NOT rise underneath vehicles.

That is the claim being made by ATG Access, the people who manufactured them.

The company said the bollards, involved in a series of car-wrecking incidents, comply with Highways Agency specifications.

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A spokesman said they include a sensor that detects vehicles trying to tailgate authorised buses.

The sensor is designed to cause the poles to go back down to avoid impact.

He claimed: "The vehicles in question are impacting into them before they have the chance to fully retract.

"The bollards are not there to trap or spear any unauthorised vehicles, they provide a physical barrier between unauthorised vehicles and the roads they are not allowed onto. They are not striking vehicles - vehicles are in fact striking the bollards."

The claims come after a week of wreckage in St Mary's Gate.

Last Wednesday, a Ford Focus became the first of three casualties in four days and had to be pushed away by police and council workers. The bollards block access to a disabled parking bay between 11am and 7pm and it appears that the vehicle was displaying a disabled badge.

It was followed on Thursday by a Renault Clio and on Sunday by a Volkswagen Polo.

Critics of the system, installed in June, have contacted the M.E.N. to object.

John Stimpson, a director at Macs Solutions, a rival company to ATG, claimed that other, `safer' measures, could have been taken when the bollards were installed and he was `sickened' by video footage showing crashes.

He also criticised the council, claiming that they `ignored' his company's attempts at communication when the decision to tender for the contract was made.

Mr Stimpson said his company operated similar systems in more than 30 towns and cities and claimed they had never had similar incidents.

"There are instances of tailgating where cars go straight through," he said, "but some councils we have worked with use CCTV to prosecute those who do at a later date. There is no reason why this can't happen in Manchester."

But a council spokesman said: "Macs Solutions have never been able to confirm other highway locations where their equipment has been used.

"ATG have similar bollards in at least 60 other authorities around the country, including 12 other locations in Manchester.

"In the case of the St Mary's Gate scheme, it was important to use tried and tested equipment at such a key location."

In the case of the St Mary's Gate scheme, it was important to use tried and tested equipment at such a key location

I'm amazed and disgusted that the council seem to think they have no responsibility.

Section 3 of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 place a duty of care on employers to employees AND 'Those affected by thier undertaking' ie NON employees, this can extend to and include (amongst others) visitors and members of the public.

There is also a duty under HSWA to provide safe plant - bollards rising up through cars, somehow I don't think that meets the definition of safe plant.

Management Regulations require risk assessments, especially when a hazard is reasonably foreseable. Cars following busses through, intentionally or by accident is reasnably foreseable to me, therefore, risk assessment.

Having said all that some of the worst H&S offenders I've come across are local authorities.

This is yet another case that proves the point.

A spokesman said they include a sensor that detects vehicles trying to tailgate authorised buses.

The sensor is designed to cause the poles to go back down to avoid impact.

He claimed: "The vehicles in question are impacting into them before they have the chance to fully retract.

If people are stupid enough to ......

Next you'll be blaming railtrack for the damage caused to cars that go through level crossings on red.

In case you are in any doubt about the horrific destructive potential of these things...
http://uk.download.yahoo.com/pr/fu/oa/bollardtest.wmv

Bus speared by bollards
Mike Keegan
9/ 4/2007


THIS bus should have been able to travel over the city centre's automated bollards without incident - but it became their latest victim.

The telescopic poles, at St Mary's Gate, close to Market Street, have been in the headlines since they were installed in June last year. They are in place to prevent unauthorised vehicles entering restricted areas.

Footage of a number of vehicles being mangled after trying to beat the bollards has became a hit on this website.

Lower

The devices are supposed to lower to allow access to authorised vehicles such as mail-delivery vans, the emergency services and buses. But this Metroshuttle service was stopped in its tracks.

The free bus, which ferries passengers across the city centre, suffered damage to its front and was stranded.

Police at the scene said ambulance crews were called but added that nobody was taken to hospital.

Neil Swannick, from Manchester city council, said that the buses have electric tags that cause the bollards to lower and added they would be investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

He added: "There is a procedure for drivers to follow and they should all be briefed on that. I wouldn't like to comment on this particular incident but this shouldn't happen.

"All incidents involving the bollards are investigated and this will be no different."