Bollards, keys, and signs

What happened?

I have been working on the security at the access points to the Lodes Way and the various points of entry used by our tenant farmers and staff. This process began with a review of what was in place about a year ago. We were the victims of several thefts last winter including some of our bollards and even the locks themselves! This was in fact the second time we had a load of locks pinched. In total we lost: one small gate, two 8ft gates, three 10ft gates, an oak bench and two picnic benches. They angle grinded the metal anchors fixing the picnic benches to concrete in the ground. As a result we were left with a mess that has taken quite a while to get near to being fixed.

Why did it take so long to fix?

Well it took a while because; firstly, we didn’t want to stick all the stuff back out just to lose it again. Secondly, we had to work out a plan of action and prioritise what to fix first. Keeping the livestock in the fields when they were back was at the top of the list. Thirdly, we had to work out if the plans were really good enough and accpetable for use. Finally, the groundwork needed to be done and the parts modified and installed.

What are we doing about it?

Several things. Mike Overall, our blacksmith, made us two branding irons. We now mark all of our new furniture in this way with it being much faster and neater than routing logos or initials into the wood. We have also modified and improved the anchors for the picnic benches. All the locks have also been upgraded and we have worked with Halls of Cambridge to change the way we allow access to our locks. Changes have been made to a selection of the bollards with new designs allowing tractors drive straight over as well as access to horse and carts whilst stoping other vehicular access.

When is it going to be finished?

Well let’s not go promising the world after the most recent delay when the signs weren’t quite right. I now have the bollards finished, with the concrete pads having been put in place. The locks are now in, however, the paperwork for giving them out to our tenants and contractors isn’t yet completed, and the warning signs are ready to be put up. This will all be in place by the end of next week allowing us to set to the tasks of removing the gates from Newnham Drove and some old concrete blocks.

Now lets hope everything works!

Here are the new bollards:

Complete with high visibilty paint, reflective tape, and luminescent disks in case people dont have a light.