The bollards, posts and rails and seats along the sea front in the coastal town of Pwllheli were sadly in need of replacement, and in late January 2006, Bollards International won a £45k contract to bring the promenade up to scratch in time for the 2006 tourist season. The aim was to achieve the renovation without the 'new' changing the overall look of the Victorian ambience of this popular town.
The contractors approached Bollards International, which has a well-earned reputation for manufacturing a range of bollards and street furniture using a highly durable polyurethane material. They can be manufactured in a range of styles and colours, and have the look of cast iron, without the drawbacks associated with metal street furniture. In coastal towns, rust is a major problem.
"We offered to replicate an 'old' cast iron bollard and post by copying it exactly, but using 21st century materials in its manufacture," explained Dr Barrie Colvin, Managing Director of Bollards International, "so enabling Pwllheli promenade to retain its aura of old-fashioned charm."
The contract was completed by the end of July 2006 - just in time for the influx of visitors. Bollards International has supplied St Tudwal bollards, St Tudwal post and rails [named after St Tudwals island situated directly offshore from Pwllheli], timber bollards and recycled plastic seats, customised to their specified colour, - none of which can be distinguished from the original cast iron furniture.
"The only difference Gwynedd County Council will encounter is financial," Dr Colvin goes on to say. "Unlike cast iron street furniture, our polyurethane replicas are not susceptible to adverse weather conditions or the corrosive effects of sea water. They will require little or no maintenance. The 'new' look Pwllheli promenade will remain looking good for much longer."
Bollards International manufactures a range of polymer based bollards, railings and street furniture which are now being specified instead of the traditional cast iron products by a growing number of architects, development companies and local authorities.
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