Where should a driveway bollard go?
The best position depends on what you are protecting and which movements must remain possible.
Published 28 September 2026 · Bollards & Barriers
Putting a bollard at the midpoint of a driveway sounds straightforward, but the centre of the frontage is not always the useful point. Start with the vehicle you want to control, the route it actually takes and the people who need to move around the entrance.
Decide what the post is protecting
If the goal is to block a parked car from being driven away, consider the space between the vehicle and the road. If the goal is to stop any vehicle entering a forecourt, think about the entire opening and any way around the sides. A long driveway can make the road entrance and the place a car is parked quite different positions.
Police security initiative Secured by Design describes a driveway bollard as an extra visible deterrent when a drive has no gates. That does not replace good key security or prove that every post can stop a forced vehicle impact.
Trace the real vehicle path
Watch how cars turn in, reverse out and open their doors. Mark where a raised post would stand and where it would sit when lowered. A narrow straight drive may need a different layout from a wide or angled approach where a vehicle could drive around one post. Do not choose the number of posts from frontage width alone.
Keep other access practical
Check gate swing or sliding movement, bins, pedestrians, mobility access, deliveries and anyone sharing the approach. If the parking surface or entrance is managed, confirm your right to install before choosing a position. A fixed post should not be placed where regular or essential vehicle access still has to pass.
Then inspect below the proposed spot
Even a well-placed telescopic bollard may need moving if the ground lacks depth or has a drain, pipe or cable beneath it. Check water movement for a ground sleeve, and confirm a sound base for a fold-down post. Moving the position a short distance can change both the effectiveness and the installation method.
A useful quote enquiry includes a photo from the street, a view of the parked vehicle, the approximate opening width and any gate or shared access. See examples of local planning questions for Canterbury, Dartford and Sevenoaks, or send your own site details.