City of Edinburgh · Scotland
Cast iron and heritage bollards in Edinburgh
Local installation of cast iron bollards in Edinburgh — free survey, fixed written price, and posts set to the right spacing for people and vehicles.
Computer-generated imageCast iron bollards in Edinburgh
Across Edinburgh, typical sites for cast iron bollards include distribution parks, pedestrianised streets and city-centre plazas. Traditional grey cast iron is hard but brittle, while modern ductile iron castings are tougher and bend before they break.
Coverage in Edinburgh takes in the EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7 and EH9 postcode districts. Nearby, we also work in Musselburgh (5.7 miles), Dalkeith (6.4 miles), Bonnyrigg (6.5 miles) and South Queensferry (8.3 miles), measured as the crow flies.
Edinburgh at a glance
- Area
- City of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Roads authority
- City of Edinburgh Council (local roads)
- Planning authority
- City of Edinburgh Council
- Postcodes
- EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7, EH9, EH6 and EH5
- Guide price
- Typically £445–£1,695 per bollard + VAT (£525–£2,045 inc VAT for homes); minimum job £745
- Survey
- Free, with a fixed written quote
- Nearby
- Musselburgh (5.7 mi), Dalkeith (6.4 mi), Bonnyrigg (6.5 mi), South Queensferry (8.3 mi)
Typical cast iron bollards jobs in Edinburgh
Typical reasons Edinburgh sites choose cast iron bollards:
- Heritage-style covers over modern steel or tested cores
- Resetting original bollards that have tilted or worked loose
- Cathedral closes, college courts and historic estates
What cast iron bollards cost in Edinburgh
| Specification | Guide price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | £445–£975 + VAT · £525–£1,145 inc VAT | Standard post, foundation, reinstatement |
| Upgraded | £825–£1,345 + VAT · £985–£1,595 inc VAT | Upgraded finish or fittings, reflective band, matched keys |
| Premium | £1,195–£1,695 + VAT · £1,445–£2,045 inc VAT | Heavy-duty or architectural spec, premium finish |
Per bollard, supplied and installed; no regional adjustment. Guide only — the fixed price follows a survey.
What we check first in Edinburgh
For anything on the public footway in Edinburgh we check with the roads authority first — City of Edinburgh Council for local roads, Transport Scotland on trunk routes. Private ground such as a car park or forecourt only needs the owner's go-ahead.
Many private-land installations in Edinburgh need no planning application, but the rules don't clearly cover bollards, so listed buildings, conservation areas and prominent frontages are worth raising with the planning team at City of Edinburgh Council before posts go in.
Original stone flags and setts are reused wherever possible, because new stone rarely matches weathered material. Reinstatement follows the original laying pattern and joint style, and on lime-bedded paving uses compatible materials so new work does not crack old stones around it.
- On public highway, agree positions and specification with the roads authority.
- Ask the local planning authority whether consent is needed for new or replacement bollards in a conservation area or near a listed building.
Installation, step by step
Record what is there
The free site survey records existing bollards, their pattern, spacing, height and condition, and the paving they sit in. You receive a fixed written quote covering new castings, resets and reinstatement.
Agree pattern and approvals
We source a matching pattern or close equivalent and, where needed, provide details for the conservation officer or planning authority before ordering.
Lift paving carefully
Natural stone flags, setts and kerbs are lifted by hand, numbered where needed and stored for relaying.
Specification choices
| Option | Detail |
|---|---|
| Grey cast iron | Traditional material with crisp detail and good corrosion resistance. Brittle under heavy impact, so suited to low-risk positions. |
| Cast aluminium | Lighter and easier to handle, with traditional patterns, but less robust and not always accepted in sensitive settings. |
| Traditional patterns | Cannon, fluted Doric, ball-top, Victorian and Georgian styles, and crest panels for estates or boroughs. |
What affects the quote
Our Scotland guide prices are a starting point; the survey in Edinburgh firms them up. What tends to move them:
- Resetting or repairing original bollards
- Pattern complexity and whether a special casting is needed
- Lifting and relaying natural stone paving
Keeping them working
Grey iron that has been struck should be checked closely for hairline cracks, which can spread with frost. Inspect annually for chips, rust spots and cracks, particularly at the base where water and grit collect.
For damaged or loose posts in Edinburgh, repairs and replacements are priced in writing first.
Questions about cast iron bollards in Edinburgh
Which parts of Edinburgh do you cover for cast iron bollards?
We cover all of Edinburgh (EH1, EH2, EH3, EH8, EH7 and EH9) and the rest of City of Edinburgh. We also work in Musselburgh, Dalkeith and Bonnyrigg.
Who gives permission for bollards on the pavement in Edinburgh?
In Scotland the council is the roads authority for local roads, which in Edinburgh means City of Edinburgh Council. Cast iron bollards on an adopted footway need its consent; trunk roads sit with Transport Scotland.
What's a typical price for cast iron bollards in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, typically £445–£1,695 per bollard, supplied and installed, plus VAT (£525–£2,045 including VAT for homeowners), with a minimum job of £745 plus VAT, using our Scotland guide prices. The fixed figure comes in writing after we've seen the site.
Can you match the old bollards on our street?
Often, yes. Many traditional patterns are still cast, and close equivalents exist for others. For rare patterns, a casting can sometimes be made from an existing post, though that takes longer.
Can an old cast iron bollard be repaired?
Usually, if it is tilted, loose or has damaged paint: it can be lifted, cleaned, reset on a new foundation and repainted. Cracked grey iron is harder to repair and may need specialist work or a matching replacement.
Cast iron bollards in nearby towns
- Musselburgh (5.7 mi)
- Dalkeith (6.4 mi)
- Bonnyrigg (6.5 mi)
- South Queensferry (8.3 mi)
- Penicuik (8.4 mi)
- Tranent (9.4 mi)