Bollard invention will save cash (From The Northern Echo)

Bollard invention will save cash

9:02am Thursday 26th November 2009

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A CAR park maintenance expert’s experience of drivers smashing bollards led him to an invention which could save thousands of pounds for supermarkets.

Kevin Lee, from Darlington, has created the corkscrewlike Xxtractor, which allows damaged car park bollards to be replaced in minutes.

The invention has won the support of Design Network North, which provides design advice and project management support to companies with product ideas and design problems.

His working prototype will be designed professionally, with funding from the network, by Shaun MacIntosh of FS Design, in Sunderland, and is expected to enter production in the new year.

The device will mean workmen do not have to dig up the surrounding ground to replace a bollard.

Mr Lee said: “Every year, thousands of polypropylene bollards are damaged by vehicles in supermarket car parks and need to be replaced immediately to avoid accidents.

“Currently, maintenance teams need to cut the bollard at the base, physically dig out the surrounding areas, replace it and prepare the ground again.

“With my device, one person can screw the Xxtractor onto the bollard stump and simply screw it out.”

Design specialist at Design Network North, John Hetherington, said: “Kevin has come up with a clever and cost effective solution to the problems around post extraction but needed help in fully realising the potential of his device.”

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