Holborn Viaduct passing over Farringdon Street was first built in 1869. It was introduced to connect Holborn and Newgate Street in the City of London.

In 2011 it was proposed to remove the temporary concrete barriers that protected the parapets on Holborn Viaduct from impact loadings. To retain the original parapets it was proposed to install high-security bollards, set back from the edge of the carriageway, in order to provide the necessary protection to pedestrians.

Marshalls M3 flat top bollards were chosen to line the pathways on either side of the bridge to protect pedestrians from vehicles and cyclists.