The Bollard Project
A few years ago, many of the bollards in the town centre were painted. Some had floral or abstract patterns, and some denoted the activities of nearby businesses.
They added a colourful and interesting dimension to the streetscape. Over the years, however, they have become damaged and faded, and some relate to businesses that have closed or moved away.
A Working Group, made up of residents, business owners and councillors, was set up by the Town Council in 2022 to find ways of making the Thoroughfare safer and even more appealing to residents and visitors. Along with changing street signs and clarifying parking arrangements the Working Group decided that refreshing and refurbishing the bollards along the Thoroughfare and extending this into the Market Place would be an ideal way to add to the attractiveness of our town centre.
Funding has been secured from East Suffolk’s High Street Regeneration Fund and the Town Council has agreed to supplement this if needed. The money will pay for renovation, materials, and a local artist to help design and oversee the group of community artists who will undertake the painting.
The starting point has been to map out the bollards and determine their present condition. There are 43 bollards in total with 10 unpainted and another 10 painted, but not linked to any business. Just 16 relate to present businesses. The next step is to develop ideas for possible designs. Discussions with businesses will be starting soon.
Approval for the work must be obtained from SCC Highways department through our County Councillor and we are keeping her informed along the way. It is hoped to have the bollards decorated for the summer and in time for the event in September celebrating 800 years of Halesworth having a market charter.
