Leicester city centre has undergone one of its most significant public protection upgrades in recent years, with a network of intelligent security bollards now in place to help safeguard residents, visitors and businesses.
Delivered by ATG Access, under contract to Leicester City Council, the city centre scheme protects some of Leicester’s busiest and most iconic locations, including the Old Town, Market Square, Cultural Quarter and major shopping streets within the city’s large Pedestrian Preference Zone.
The project forms part of the city council’s ambitious vision to further establish Leicester as a leading destination to live, work and visit.
Ensuring safe, pedestrian-friendly public spaces is central to that vision. ATG Access worked closely with project partners to carefully position security infrastructure across the city centre, ensuring each location is fully protected while remaining accessible, operational and sympathetic to its surroundings. The result is a scheme that balances protection, day-to-day city operations and aesthetics, maintaining welcoming spaces where people can spend time, relax and enjoy the city’s attractions with confidence.
ATG Access delivered the full turnkey project, taking responsibility for the design, systems integration, installation, project management and electrical commissioning. The scheme combines ATG’s automatic bollards with intelligent control software linked to Leicester’s new multi-functional control room, giving the council greater control over vehicle movements across the city centre.
Shallow foundation technology was selected to minimise excavation within Leicester’s historic streets, where archaeological considerations and underground cellar structures presented significant challenges. The modular design of ATG’s bollards also allows individual units to be serviced or replaced quickly, helping minimise disruption and road closures during maintenance.
The project builds on a successful partnership between ATG Access and Leicester City Council spanning more than 15 years, with the latest installation helping support Leicester in enhancing its position as one of the UK’s leading city destinations.
Lucy Ketley, Sales and Marketing Director at ATG Access, said:
“As cities evolve, ensuring safe public spaces has never been more important. Leicester has an ambitious vision for its future, and we’re proud to have delivered a solution that protects people while supporting the city’s continued growth and regeneration.
“Successful public spaces depend on getting the balance right. Security should never come at the expense of accessibility or the character of a place. This project demonstrates how intelligent protection can support wider placemaking ambitions, creating spaces that are safe, welcoming and easy to enjoy while ensuring the city continues to operate effectively.
“We’re incredibly proud to have worked alongside Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Police on a project that will help support the city’s future for many years to come.”
Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said:
“Installing automatic bollards at key locations across the city centre was essential to control vehicle access into Leicester’s busy pedestrian zone.
This has been a major project to help us prevent abuse of the system whilst providing an amazing environment for shopping and leisure activities where people can feel safe.”
(Picture: ATG Access/Leicester City Council)
