Creating Safer School Environments - X-Last Pencil:
Withinfields Primary, Southowram, Halifax
Withinfields Primary School is located in the rural village of Southowram, Halifax.
Calderdale Council, with funding from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Active Travel England, recently delivered an active travel scheme around the vicinity of the school to improve access and promote walking and wheeling.
The project team, with support from the school, installed brightly coloured X-Last pencil bollards (in the school colours) to protect the pavements. This eye-catching addition does more than just brighten the road; it addresses a critical safety need for pupils and the local community alike.
Site challenges
Law Lane, the main road leading to the school’s cul-de-sac, is a busy thoroughfare. It connects the school to a local play park and a neighbouring GP surgery, leading to heavy congestion during peak hours. Previously, parked vehicles frequently obstructed sightlines and the pavements. This made it difficult for pupils and parents to use the zebra crossing safely.
The solution
To resolve these issues, the local authorities partnered with the school during the active travel project. X-Last pencil bollards were installed along the kerb line to prevent vehicles from mounting the pavement.
These bollards offer two distinct layers of protection:
Visual safety
The vivid colours act as a clear warning to motorists.
Material innovation
Made from a unique, durable composition, the bollards remain rigid at low speeds to deter unauthorised access. However, in the event of a high-speed impact, they’re engineered to rebound to their original upright position. This minimises maintenance costs while maximising
pedestrian safety.
Our experience working with NAL to deliver the X-Last pencil bollards has been excellent. From supplying an initial sample to supporting us throughout the ordering and installation processes, their team has been incredibly helpful. The new pencil bollards look fantastic, and we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the school, parents, pupils, and local residents. We look forward to using this product again in other schools across the borough. Ella King, Project Manager - Strategic Infrastructure, Calderdale Council
The impact
The installation has significantly improved pedestrian safety for pupils, parents, and the wider Southowram community.
Feedback from residents and the school has been overwhelmingly positive. By clearing sightlines and securing the pavement, the bollards have helped foster a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone.
Client
